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Original Research
Online Published: 19 Sep 2026
 
RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 996-998


Concordance and discordance between radiology residents and consultant radiologists in interpretation of MRI lumbosacral spine in patients with lower back pain

Sapna Salim Mina Khel, Muhammad Bilal, Ummara Siddique Umer, Mohsin Khan, Ghulam Ghuas Shah, Anisa Sandal.


Abstract
Objective: To determine the concordance and discordance between radiology residents and a consultant radiologist in the interpretation of lumbosacral spine magnetic resonance imaging in lower back pain patients.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March 18 to August 18, 2024, at the Rehman Medical Institute. It included 145 patients between the ages of 14 and 80 years, who had an MRI of the lumbosacral spine because of low back pain, with or without radiculopathy. Each scan was independently interpreted by a third-year radiology resident and a consultant radiologist. The reference standard was the report of the consultant. The inter-rater agreement was determined with the help of the Cohen kappa statistic.
Results: The average age of the patients was 47.5 years, and the proportion of females was 53.1%. The lumbar disc herniation (71%), osteopenia (29%), and changes in the Modic vertebral endplate (18%) were the most common findings on MRI. The total number of cases that were concordant between the residents and the consultants was 89 (61.4%), whereas those cases that were discordant were 56 (38.6%). The κ of Cohen is 0.19, indicating slight agreement.
Conclusion: The concordance between the consultant and radiology residents was low (κ=0.19) even though the crude concordance was high (61.4%). Regular consultant reviews and specific training on minor findings might enhance the consistency of diagnosis.

Key words: Lower back pain, MRI, radiology residents, diagnostic concordance, disc herniation.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Khel SSM, Bilal M, Umer US, Khan M, Shah GG, Sandal A. Concordance and discordance between radiology residents and consultant radiologists in interpretation of MRI lumbosacral spine in patients with lower back pain. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 996-998.

Web Style

Khel SSM, Bilal M, Umer US, Khan M, Shah GG, Sandal A. Concordance and discordance between radiology residents and consultant radiologists in interpretation of MRI lumbosacral spine in patients with lower back pain. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=288941 [Access: November 11, 2026].

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Khel SSM, Bilal M, Umer US, Khan M, Shah GG, Sandal A. Concordance and discordance between radiology residents and consultant radiologists in interpretation of MRI lumbosacral spine in patients with lower back pain. RMJ. 2026; 51(4): 996-998.


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Khel SSM, Bilal M, Umer US, Khan M, Shah GG, Sandal A. Concordance and discordance between radiology residents and consultant radiologists in interpretation of MRI lumbosacral spine in patients with lower back pain. RMJ. (2026), [cited November 11, 2026]; 51(4): 996-998.


Harvard Style

Khel, S. S. M., Bilal, . M., Umer, . U. S., Khan, . M., Shah, . G. G. & Sandal, . A. (2026) Concordance and discordance between radiology residents and consultant radiologists in interpretation of MRI lumbosacral spine in patients with lower back pain. RMJ, 51 (4), 996-998.


Turabian Style

Khel, Sapna Salim Mina, Muhammad Bilal, Ummara Siddique Umer, Mohsin Khan, Ghulam Ghuas Shah, and Anisa Sandal. 2026. Concordance and discordance between radiology residents and consultant radiologists in interpretation of MRI lumbosacral spine in patients with lower back pain. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 996-998.


Chicago Style

Khel, Sapna Salim Mina, Muhammad Bilal, Ummara Siddique Umer, Mohsin Khan, Ghulam Ghuas Shah, and Anisa Sandal. "Concordance and discordance between radiology residents and consultant radiologists in interpretation of MRI lumbosacral spine in patients with lower back pain." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 996-998.


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Khel, Sapna Salim Mina, Muhammad Bilal, Ummara Siddique Umer, Mohsin Khan, Ghulam Ghuas Shah, and Anisa Sandal. "Concordance and discordance between radiology residents and consultant radiologists in interpretation of MRI lumbosacral spine in patients with lower back pain." Rawal Medical Journal 51.4 (2026), 996-998. Print.


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Khel, S. S. M., Bilal, . M., Umer, . U. S., Khan, . M., Shah, . G. G. & Sandal, . A. (2026) Concordance and discordance between radiology residents and consultant radiologists in interpretation of MRI lumbosacral spine in patients with lower back pain. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (4), 996-998.



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