Posterior Subcutaneous Edema at Lumbar Spine MRI: A Systematic Review

Rationale and Objectives Edema in the subcutaneous soft tissue of the lumbar spine is a frequent incidental finding in spinal magnetic resonance imaging, however, its exact explanation is yet to be determined. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review on posterior lumbar subcutaneous edema (LSE). Materials and Methods The present systematic literature search was carried out in October 2023 using electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane library, and Scopus. Results The current evidence suggests that lumbar edema is correlated with clinical data such as weight and age, and potentially female sex. Moreover, LSE is related to several specific conditions, including both systemic and spinal disorders, such as heart or kidney disorders, as well as low back pain and degenerative and/or inflammatory diseases. Conclusion It is important to be aware that there is an association between LSE and a variety systemic and spinal disorders.