Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34613494›Full record

Observational studyEuropean spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society2022

The influence of spinal position on imaging findings: an observational study of thoracolumbar spine upright MRI in elite gymnasts.

Louise Fawcett, Steven James, Rajesh Botchu, James Martin, Nicola R Heneghan, Alison Rushton

Open access · hybridAbstract readObservational Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
0.3field-weighted citation impact, top 42% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 4 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Letter to the Editor concerning "The influence of spinal position on imaging findings: an observational study of thoracolumbar spine upright MRI in elite gymnasts" by Fawcett L, et al. (Eur Spine J [2022]; 31(2):225-232).European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society · 2023
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.

Louise FawcettBritish Gymnastics, English Institute of Sport, Lilleshall National Sports Centre, Nr Newport, Shropshire, TF10 9AT, UK. louise.fawcett@eis2win.co.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5796-296X
Steven JamesDepartment of Radiology, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, University of Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
Rajesh BotchuDepartment of Radiology, School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, University of Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
James MartinInstitute of Applied Health Research, University of Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
Nicola R HeneghanCentre of Precision Rehabilitation for Spinal Pain (CPR Spine), School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, West Midlands, UK.
Alison RushtonSchool of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Canada.
Royal Orthopaedic Hospital · GBUniversity of Birmingham · GBEnglish Institute of Sport · GBWestern University · CA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeTo investigate whether upright magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has a role in defining thoracolumbar spine pathology in elite gymnastics.

methodsA prospective cross-sectional observational study of National Senior and Junior Artistic gymnasts in three MRI positions (standard supine, upright flexed and extended positions). Two specialist musculoskeletal radiologists independently analysed images with neutral as a baseline with the effects of flexion and extension reported in line with Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement.

resultsForty (18 males) gymnasts aged 13-24 years with a mean (SD) of 32 (5.3) training hours per week consented with 75% showing MRI abnormalities. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) was evident in 55% participants with vertebral end plate (VEP) changes in 42.5%. Spondylolysis was present in 40% with an additional 17% showing chronic bilateral complete L5 pars defects. 23% participants demonstrated different MRI findings in upright flexion compared to neutral.

conclusionFindings suggest a high levels of MRI abnormalities in elite gymnastics including altered disc morphology and posterior element abnormalities. High prevalence of T11/12 DDD and VEP changes reflects the thoracolumbar junction being a transition zone. Upright MRI and varying spine position offer promise for enhanced visualisation of posterior element abnormalities.

Indexed as

Lumbar VertebraeSpondylolysisAdolescentAdultCross-Sectional StudiesHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleProspective StudiesYoung AdultElite gymnasticsLumbar spinePathologyProspectiveUpright MRI

Identifiers

PMID34613494
OpenAlexW3204480940

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.