Camparison of MRI & Electrodiagnostic study in evaluation of patients with clinical radiculopathy in 501 army hospital,1387-88

There are different procedures for radiculopathy diagnosis. Considering morbidity of this disease, its diagnosis and treatment is of important.MRI and Electrodiagnostic study (EDX) are of most important ways but they each have advantages and shortcomings. The goal of this study is to determine which way or ways is the best.

In an cross-sectional analytic study, we studied patients with suspected radiculopathy and MRI who where referred for Electrodiagnostic study to 501 Army hospital at 1387-88. Analysis was performed with statistical software of SPSS.

we studied 114 patients.31 had cervical and 83 had lumbosacral radiculopathy.There were significant agreement between clinic & MRI (72%) and between EDX& MRI (61%) but no between clinic& EDX(52%).The agreement is higher in deffinte group than milder ones. This decline in agreement was significant in EDX but no in MRI.

There are no preferred procedure for radiculopathy diagnosis so that MRI and EDX are complementary, yet. Considering higher specifity for EDX Electrodiagnostic study is suggested before inappropriate and risky interventions.