Abstract
Background Job-related limitations of earning capacity are eligible for recognition under social
legislation and may be subject to compensation (see Part 1).
Method For the recognition of an occupational disease (BK), diagnostic imaging is required
as part of the legal determination procedure for occupational diseases 2108/2110 (“occupational
disc disease”). The focus is on image criteria on X-ray images and MRI examinations.
In a consensus paper under the guidance of the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions
from 2005, the characteristic patterns are defined and explained extensively and summarized
in typical occupation-related constellations. This article presents representative
image examples as a reference system for expert reporting as far as the typical patterns
from the consensus paper are concerned.
Conclusion In Part 2, comparison images with the typical findings of the vertebral bodies and
intervertebral discs according to occupational diseases are systematically presented,
explained, and offered as a reference system for expert assessment. The image criteria
can be used as “evidence by eye” (Heuck) in the recognition procedure.
Key Points
Occupational diseases are defined by the legislator in the “List of Occupational Diseases”.
For occupational intervertebral disc diseases (OD nos. 2108/2110), constellations
of findings are defined.
Within the scope of diagnostic imaging, a large number of image criteria are used.
Part 1 explains the basics and the legal background.
Part 2 provides the image criteria on the basis of “comparison images” as a reference
catalog.
Citation Format
Braunschweig R, Kildal D, Meyer-Clement M et al. Structured image diagnosis of vertebral
body degeneration and intervertebral disc damage – Binary image criteria and comparison
for systematic image analysis for occupational diseases 2108 and 2110. Fortschr Röntgenstr
2024; 196: 912 – 920
Keywords occupational diseases - degenerative spine conditions - structured image diagnosis
- intervertebral disc degeneration - systematic medical image analysis
