OBJECTIVE: To assess intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of lumbar facet hypersignal rating and to assess the correlation with disc degeneration. METHODS: Retrospective study of magnetic resonance imaging of 41 patients (18 male and 23 female), with mean age of 48 years and three months (range 26-84 years). Three independent orthopaedic spine surgeons and one radiologist reviewed the images to assess and quantify the presence of lumbar facet hypersignal. Later, the relation between facet arthrosis and disc degeneration was evaluated. RESULTS: 205 lumbar discs and facets were assessed and rated by four independent observers, the records were analyzed by Cronbach test and Spearman correlation analysis with high statistical outcomes which confirm a good interobserver and intraobserver relation for lumbar facet hypersignal rating. No statistical difference between facet arthrosis and disc degeneration was verified. CONCLUSION: Sufficient outcomes were obtained to confirm the existence of good interobserver and intraobserver relation for lumbar facet hypersignal rating. No statistical difference between facet arthrosis and disc degeneration was verified.
Synovitis; Spine; Arthrosis; Magnetic resonance imaging; Retrospective studies
