文献类型：期刊文献

英文题名：Radiological frontiers in understanding paraspinal muscle pathophysiology in chronic low back pain

作者：Li, Xuerou[1];Dong, Fuwen[2];Chen, Xiaofei[2];Luo, Xingxin[1];Wang, Wenqi[2]

第一作者：李雪溶;李新茹

通信作者：Li, XR[1];Wang, WQ[2]

机构：[1]Gansu Univ Chinese Med, Clin Med Coll 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, Peoples R China;[2]Gansu Univ Tradit Chinese Med, Gansu Prov Hosp Tradit Chinese Med, Dept Radiol, Affiliated Hosp 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, Peoples R China

第一机构：甘肃中医药大学

通信机构：[1]corresponding author), Gansu Univ Chinese Med, Clin Med Coll 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, Peoples R China;[2]corresponding author), Gansu Univ Tradit Chinese Med, Gansu Prov Hosp Tradit Chinese Med, Dept Radiol, Affiliated Hosp 1, Lanzhou, Gansu, Peoples R China.|[10735]甘肃中医药大学;

年份：2025

卷号：12

外文期刊名：FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE

收录：;Scopus(收录号：2-s2.0-105018822470);WOS:【SCI-EXPANDED(收录号:WOS:001588097700001)】；

基金：The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This work was supported by Gansu Provincial Health Commission, China, under Grant "Study on Deep Learning Models for Radiographic Parameter Measurement of Lumbar Spine Stability" (Grant No. GSWSKY2022-14).

语种：英文

外文关键词：paraspinal muscles; chronic low back pain; imaging techniques; functional MRI; quantitative MRI; fiber-type composition; depth-specific analysis; muscle degeneration

摘要：Background Paraspinal muscles have a profound role in maintaining spinal stability and are often implicated in spinal degenerative conditions as well as chronic low back pain (CLBP). Alterations in these muscles have significant clinical implications for early prevention, treatment strategies, prognosis, and understanding the underlying mechanisms of CLBP. Recent advances in imaging techniques can generate prominent structural and functional characteristics of these muscles.Objectives This study is specifically to review recent advancements in imaging techniques focusing on the regenerative and degenerative properties pertinent to paraspinal muscles in the context of CLBP.Methods A literature review was executed to ascertain the databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, RelMed, and the National Library of Medicine. The search included studies elucidating recent imaging advancements, fiber-type composition analysis, level/depth-specific muscle characteristics, and clinical applications of novel radiological techniques in evaluating paraspinal muscle morphology and function. We performed this review without comprehensive meta-analysis.Results The review identified significant advancements in imaging modalities for assessing paraspinal muscles, including functional MRI (fMRI), quantitative MRI (qMRI), and T2 mapping techniques. Key findings include: Fiber-type composition analysis: Recent studies elucidate the role of depth-dependent fiber-type gradients along with their correlation with muscle function in health and disease. Standardized imaging protocols: The lack of uniform imaging protocols remains a challenge, emphasizing the need for standardization to improve reproducibility and reliability. Radiological advances: Emerging techniques such as advanced fMRI and qMRI enable detailed visualization of muscle structure and function, overcoming limitations of traditional imaging methods. Age-related microvascular changes: age-related microvascular alterations significantly impact paraspinal muscle morphology and can be effectively captured by modern imaging biomarkers.Conclusion Advances in imaging techniques have enhanced our understanding of the structural and functional changes in paraspinal muscles associated with CLBP. The integration of imaging biomarkers into clinical practice holds promise for early diagnosis, targeted interventions, and better prognostic evaluations. Future research should focus on developing standardized imaging protocols and further exploring depth-specific properties of paraspinal muscles to enhance clinical outcomes.