Magnetic resonance imaging findings in cervical pathologies and its’ correlation with patient´s body mass index in Anambra state, Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Background: Subsequent to the multitude of cervical pathologies with aging, this study aims to determine the prevalence and pattern of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cervical pathologies and its correlation with body mass index (BMI). Methods: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in some selected diagnostic centres in Anambra State, Nigeria using 141 MRI data that met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected from patients` request cards, MRI screening form and MRI scan reports. Both descriptive and inferential (Pearson`s correlation test) were used as tools for statistical analysis. The level of significance was set at the level of less than 0.05. Results: Out of the 141 sample size, the majority 93(66%) were males while females accounted for 48(34%). The greater number 36(25.4%) of patients were within the age range of 61-70years of age. Greater number 83 had normal BMI (18.5- 30).Out of the 141 patients, most 68(48.2%) had single pathology, 51(36.2%) had double pathologies and few patients 22(15.6%) had multiple pathologies. There was a negative correlation between pathology and BMI that is not statistically significant(r= -0.04, p = 0.63). Also, there was negative correlations between patterns of spinal involvement and BMI, which is not statistically significant ( r= -0.130, p = 0.126). Conclusion: There is prevalence of cervical pathologies mostly in males in their 6th decade and the 4th decade with more of single pattern pathologies. The common level of involvement is at C5 vertebra. Intervertebral osteochondrosis and spondylosis was found to be the commonest cervical pathology among the study population. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between cervical pathologies and its pattern of occurrence with body mass index