Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Goel A, Weerakkody Y, Chmiel-Nowak M, et al. Posterior lumbar subcutaneous edema. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 16 Apr 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-23476
Posterior lumbar subcutaneous edema (PLSO) / posterior lumbar subcutaneous edema (PLSE) is a very frequent finding on MRI of the spine. Clinical correlation is almost always required to identify the significance of this.
It is more common in elderly and female patients.
Etiology
It is a result of poor lymphatic drainage in various conditions:
overweight/obesity (raised BMI)
cessation of physical activity due to low back pain
posterior compartment degenerative changes (facet joint arthropathy)
infectious process
neoplastic causes
MRI
It is the same appearance as that of edema elsewhere in the body.
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