Jason Eastlack1, Lulu Tenorio1, Vibhor Wadhwa2, Kelly Scott3, Adam Starr4, Avneesh Chhabra1,4. 1. 1 Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. 2. 2 Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA. 3. 3 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. 4. 4 Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of sciatic neuromuscular variants on MR neurography and determine the interobserver variability. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of 137 consecutive lumbosacral plexus magnetic resonance neurography examinations was performed. All examinations were performed using nerve selective 3D imaging and independently reviewed by two readers for the presence of sciatic neuromuscular variants and piriformis muscle asymmetry. Inter- and intraobserver performance were evaluated. RESULTS: There were a total of 44/268 (16.4%) extremities with sciatic neuromuscular variants. The interobserver performance in the identification of sciatic nerve variants was excellent (kappa values from 0.8-0.9). There was a total of 45/134 (33.6%) patients with piriformis muscle asymmetry. Of these, 7/134 (5.2%) had piriformis muscle atrophy and 38/134 (28.4%) had piriformis muscle hypertrophy. The interobserver performance in the identification of piriformis muscle atrophy and hypertrophy was moderate to good (kappa values from 0.39-0.61). The intraobserver performance revealed kappa values of 0.735 and 0.821 on right and left, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sciatic neuromuscular variants and piriformis muscle asymmetry are frequent on lumbosacral plexus MRN with moderate to excellent interobserver performance. Advances in knowledge: Sciatic neuromuscular variants and piriformis asymmetry on MR neurography are frequent and the prevalence is similar to cumulative prevalence from available scientific series. Interobserver performance for identification of sciatic neuromuscular variants is excellent, and moderate-good for piriformis muscle asymmetry.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of sciatic neuromuscular variants on MR neurography and determine the interobserver variability. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of 137 consecutive lumbosacral plexus magnetic resonance neurography examinations was performed. All examinations were performed using nerve selective 3D imaging and independently reviewed by two readers for the presence of sciatic neuromuscular variants and piriformis muscle asymmetry. Inter- and intraobserver performance were evaluated. RESULTS: There were a total of 44/268 (16.4%) extremities with sciatic neuromuscular variants. The interobserver performance in the identification of sciatic nerve variants was excellent (kappa values from 0.8-0.9). There was a total of 45/134 (33.6%) patients with piriformis muscle asymmetry. Of these, 7/134 (5.2%) had piriformis muscle atrophy and 38/134 (28.4%) had piriformis muscle hypertrophy. The interobserver performance in the identification of piriformis muscle atrophy and hypertrophy was moderate to good (kappa values from 0.39-0.61). The intraobserver performance revealed kappa values of 0.735 and 0.821 on right and left, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sciatic neuromuscular variants and piriformis muscle asymmetry are frequent on lumbosacral plexus MRN with moderate to excellent interobserver performance. Advances in knowledge: Sciatic neuromuscular variants and piriformis asymmetry on MR neurography are frequent and the prevalence is similar to cumulative prevalence from available scientific series. Interobserver performance for identification of sciatic neuromuscular variants is excellent, and moderate-good for piriformis muscle asymmetry.
Authors: Loren M Fishman; George W Dombi; Christopher Michaelsen; Stephen Ringel; Jacob Rozbruch; Bernard Rosner; Cheryl Weber Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: J Matthew Russell; Mark J Kransdorf; Laura W Bancroft; Jeffrey J Peterson; Thomas H Berquist; Mellena D Bridges Journal: Skeletal Radiol Date: 2008-06-03 Impact factor: 2.199