EVALUATING THE ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY SCAN IN ASSESSING SPINAL CURVATURES IN SCOLIOSIS

Abstract

Background: Scoliosis involves abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, commonly forming S or C shapes. Scoliosis severity based on Cobb angle measurements: Mild scoliosis: 10° to 24°Moderate scoliosis: 25° to 39°Severe scoliosis: 40° or more.The causes of scoliosis vary and are classified broadly as congenital, neuromuscular, syndrome-related, idiopathic and spinal curvature due to secondary reasons. Traditional X-rays provide limited 2D views, whereas MRI and CT offer detailed 3D assessments. MRI is ideal for soft tissue and neural imaging, while CT excels at capturing bone details. Objective: To evaluate and compare the diagnostic value of MRI and CT in identifying scoliosis-related spinal deformities, including Cobb angle, vertebral rotation, and associated anomalies. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore with 31 patients aged 11–40 years diagnosed with scoliosis. CT (Toshiba Aquiline 16-slice) and MRI (1.5T) were used. Data on Cobb angle, vertebral rotation, and abnormalities were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0  Results: MRI detected 80.6% of anomalies while CT identified 74.2%. MRI showed superior capability in detecting spinal cord and soft tissue anomalies, whereas CT was more accurate for vertebral rotation and bone deformities. Evaluated scoliosis characteristics using Cobb angle measurements. Results showed 8 (25.8%) had mild scoliosis (10–20°), 16 (51.6%) moderate (21–40°), and 7 (22.6%) severe (>40°). Idiopathic scoliosis was most common (80.6%), followed by neuromuscular (12.9%) and congenital (6.5%). The thoracolumbar region was most frequently affected, with thoracic and lumbar involvement also noted. Patients commonly exhibited postural asymmetries, including uneven shoulders, pelvic tilt, and rib hump in moderate to severe cases. A significant association (p < 0.05) was found between scoliosis severity and curve type. Conclusion:This study compared MRI and CT in scoliosis assessment. Scoliosis was more common in females (62.5%) and thoracic curves were most frequent (58.3%). MRI excelled in detecting spinal cord and soft tissue changes, while CT was better for vertebral rotation and bony deformities. MRI findings strongly correlated with clinical severity (p = 0.002), and CT was key for structural evaluation (p = 0.018). MRI is preferred for comprehensive assessment; CT aids in surgical planning.