Quantitative MRI assessment of paraspinal muscles and the psoas: associations with low back pain

Key Points

• Pain severity is significantly associated with fat fraction in paraspinal muscles and the psoas, suggesting a connection between muscle fat content and chronic pain.
• The study finds a strong link between disability and low back pain, emphasizing the importance of muscle assessment in treatment planning.
• Assessment using the IDEAL-IQ MRI technique quantitatively evaluates fat fractions in the lumbar region, highlighting its utility in clinical practice.
• Incorporating these techniques into routine MRI protocols may enhance evaluations of patients with low back pain, though further validation is needed.