Magnetic resonance imaging,computed tomography,and myelography in the diagnosis of recurrent lumbar disc herniation

Summary Thirteen patients with recurrent symptoms after lumbar discectomy were evaluated. All the patients were enrolled in the study on the basis of clinical symptoms and signs only. The patients were examined with MRI, CT, and myelography in order to compare a) the clinical findings with the imaging investigations, b) the predictive value of the different investigations, and c) the clinical and investigative results with the operative findings. All patients were operated upon according to the clinical findings, and the surgical results were used as the final diagnosis. In six patients a new disc herniation was detected. In the remaining cases surgery revealed either scar tissue or nothing to explain the recurrence of the symptoms. The three imaging modalities were analysed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The areas under the ROC curves were 0.68 for MRI, 0.83 for CT, and 0.43 for myelography. The difference in areas between CT and myelography was significant (p<0.05). The results indicate that CT has the highest predictive value for demonstrating the recurrence of a lumbar disc herniation.     

Endoscopic percutaneous transforaminal treatment for herniated lumbar discs

Summary.  Background: The prevailing percutaneous treatment options for herniated non-contained lumbar discs have not reliably achieved the same good results as the conventional microsurgical techniques. In this study we evaluated clinical outcome and complication rate following endoscopic percutaneous transforaminal treatment of extruded or sequestrated herniated lumbar discs in 122 patients with a follow-up period of more than one year.  Method: Between October 1997 and December 2000, 86 male and 36 female patients with a median age of 55 years (range 18 to 89 years) underwent endoscopic treatment for non-contained herniated lumbar discs at our department. Neurological controls were conducted after 4 to 8 weeks routinely and the clinical result was reassessed at a follow-up of 15 to 53 months (median 35 months) according to the Macnab scale and Prolo outcome score.  Findings: On follow-up examination, 96 patients were found with permanently ameliorated or normal clinical status following endoscopy alone. The remaining 26 cases with unchanged or only temporarily improved neurological disorders were submitted to conventional microsurgical interventions. Spinal nerve root injury during endoscopic treatment occurred in two patients but no additional neurological deficits or aggravation of pre-existing disorders were observed.  Interpretation: Due to the minimal invasivity, the good functional outcome (78.7% clinical amelioration) and the low complication rate (1.6%), this procedure represents an attractive and efficient treatment alternative especially for foraminal and extraforaminal herniated lumbar discs and reduces the indications for open surgery in selected cases. Published online October 10, 2002 Correspondence: Sandro Eustacchio, M.D., Department of Neurosurgery, Karl-Franzens University, Auenbruggerplatz 29, A-8036 Graz, Austria.     

Relationship between neovascularization and degenerative changes in herniated lumbar intervertebral discs

Purpose

Lumbar disc degeneration may be associated with intensity of neovascularization in disc herniations. Our study was designed to evaluate how much the severity of histodegeneration is related to the development of neovascularization and to the level of pleiotrophin in the herniated lumbar discs.

Methods

Surgically excised lumbar disc specimens were obtained from 29 patients with noncontained (i.e., extruding through the posterior longitudinal ligament) and 21 patients with contained disc herniations. The histodegeneration scores and levels of neovascularization were estimated according to semiquantitative analysis in lumbar disc and endplate samples. Immunohistochemical staining were performed to identify the newly formed blood vessels and to detect the presence of pleiotrophin in the specimens.

Results

Higher levels of disc and endplate neovascularity were registered in noncontained herniations. The level of neovascularization was significantly related to the score of histodegeneration in the herniated disc tissues but not in the endplate specimens. Both contained and noncontained herniations had the highest values of histodegeneration in conjunction with the highest level of neovascularization but the relations between neovascularity and degenerative changes remained to be significant only in the group of noncontained herniations. Registration or frequency of pleiotrophin positive cells did not correlate significantly with histodegeneration or level of neovascularization in the disc samples.

Conclusion

Severe histodegeneration of the lumbar disc herniations is associated with enhanced neovascularization and potentially also spontaneous regression of the herniated tissue.     

动态脊髓造影诊断腰椎间盘突出症

目的：探讨动态脊髓造影对于腰椎间盘突出症的诊断价值。方法：对186例腰椎间盘突出症患者进行脊髓造影，动态观察，拍摄不同体位的X线片。186例均经CT检查，110例经CTM检查，106例经手术治疗。结果：186例中213个椎间隙诊断为腰椎间盘突出，96个椎间隙诊断为腰椎间盘膨出，动念脊髓造影检查结果与手术诊断符合率为93．62％，CT检查结果与手术诊断符合率为86．74％，CTM检查结果与手术诊断符合率为96．88％。结论：动态脊髓造影检查克服了传统脊髓造影、CT、MRI检查静态观察的缺陷，降低了假阳性率和假阴性率，对L5／S1间盘突出诊断效果更为明显，并可鉴别诊断腰椎问盘突出和膨出。     

CT硬膜外造影对腰椎管狭窄症的诊断价值

目的：探讨硬膜外造影后CT(CT-E)对腰椎管狭窄症的诊断价值及影像特征。方法：对27例腰椎管狭窄症患者行腰椎X线平片及单纯CT检查后再行CT-E检查。CT—E扫描椎体下1／3、椎间隙、椎体上缘平面，结合单纯CT及手术所见行对比分析。结果：CT-E诊断中央管狭窄3例，中央管伴侧隐窝狭窄2例，侧隐窝狭窄16例，神经根管狭窄4例，椎问孔狭窄2例。与于术所见吻合25例，诊断准确率达93％；单纯CT与手术所见吻合23例．诊断准确率为85％。结论：CT—E对腰椎管狭窄症更具有定性、定位诊断作用，可为有限化手术提供依据。     

手术治疗腰椎间盘突出症的疗效分析

本文对我科在1956～1995年手术治疗腰椎间盘突出症1420例进行了随访研究,其中987例资料完整平均随访5.6年。手术方法包括开窗术,半椎板切除术,全椎板切除术和腰椎管成形术,手术后复发率是4％,并发症是3％,根据prolo腰椎术后功能评分89％的病人疗效优良。     

腰椎间盘组织中磷脂酶A2活性水平与神经根性疼痛的关系

作者既往临床研究的结果表明，腰椎间盘突出症病人的神经根受压程度与临床症状和腰腿疼痛的程度并无直接关系。手术中病理观察发现，神经根有炎症表现者，在临床上表现出剧烈的根性疼痛，这似乎提示神经根性疼痛与局部的炎症有密切关系。磷脂酶（ＰＬ）Ａ２是人体内重要的炎症介质和致痛物质，也是组织炎症的标志物。作者采用生化方法测定了２０例腰椎间盘突出症病人手术中获取的髓核组织中的ＰＬＡ２活性水平，并将其结果与病人的神经根性疼痛程度和术中病理所见进行对照研究。研究结果表明：（１）腰椎间盘突出症病人椎间盘髓核中ＰＬＡ２活性显著高于自身血液中和健康人椎间盘髓核中ＰＬＡ２活性水平；（２）腰椎间盘突出症病人的腰腿痛程度与其髓核中ＰＬＡ２活性明显相关；（３）直腿抬高试验强阳性者的髓核中ＰＬＡ２活性水平显著增高；（４）腰椎间盘突出的类型与其髓核中ＰＬＡ２活性无显著关系。作者还就ＰＬＡ２在腰椎间盘突出症所引起的放射性疼痛中的作用进行了讨论。     

腰椎间盘突出矢状位重建的CT表现

目的：研究腰椎是盘突出在矢状位上的ＣＴ表现。方法：对５０例５４个突出椎间 完成横断位扫描后进行矢状位图像重建。结果;椎间盘突出在矢状位上表现为突入椎管的软组织密度阴影。在所有病例中突出椎间盘的纵径长度都大于椎间隙高是盘突出的形态可分为：（１）铆钉形（４０个）;（２）水滴状（６个）;（３）游离型（８个）。结论：矢状位重建对于椎间盘突出有较高的诊断价值,可提供平片和横断位不易得到的解剖学信息。结合横纵     

CT-guided injection technique into intervertebral discs in the ovine lumbar spine

Purpose

Disc injection to create intervertebral (IVD) disc degeneration (IVDD) has been reported in ovine models, but the techniques have not been thoroughly described. The current ex vivo study aimed to evaluate a computed tomography (CT)-guided injection technique into IVDs in the ovine lumbar spine.

Methods

Insertion of needles into the nucleus pulposus was assessed by gross anatomic dissection in two lumbar segments (group A), and injection of liquid within the disc was assessed by discography in six segments (group B).

Results

The pathway of the needle was simulated on computer after an initial CT scan, followed by control of the insertion process via a laser beam and monitoring scans. In group A, 20 insertions were assessed and 17 needles (85 %) were successfully positioned in the nucleus pulposus. In group B of 30 injections, the rate of success was 90 %.

Conclusions

The current study provides useful clinical information that will help surgeons working with an ovine model for research on IVDD. This model could also be useful to train less experienced surgeons or radiologists to disc injection. This CT-guided injection seems to offer several advantages such as ease of use, good success rate and safety to important nervous and vascular structures.     

磁共振成象（MRI）诊断腰椎间盘突出症

本文报告了１００例术前经磁共振成象（ＭＲＩ）诊断为腰椎间盘突出症患者的手术探查的结果。其诊断正确率为８６．５％，假阳性１０例（７．５％），假阴性８例（６％），与ＣＴ的正确率相仿．ＭＲＩ具有对软组织的高分辨率，无侵袭性，无放射性以及可以做多方面的扫描等优点，在经过技术上的改进后，定将具有更大的临床意义。     

MED治疗老年腰椎管狭窄症44例体会

目的探讨显微内镜后路椎间盘手术系统(MED)治疗老年腰椎管狭窄症的价值. 方法根据含定位物的腰椎正、侧位 X线片定位,在局部麻醉或浅硬外麻醉下建立 MED系统,用自制微型骨刀凿去部分椎板、增生内聚的关节突,彻底解除硬脊膜及神经根周围的压迫. 结果手术时间25～180 min.术中出血量50～300 ml.1例因硬膜及神经根与周围组织广泛粘连中转开放手术.44例均获随访,时间3～ 40个月,平均15个月.按照 Nakai评价标准:优30例,良8例,差 6例,优良率 86.4%(38/44).并发症:椎间隙感染1例,出现健肢症状2例. 结论 MED创伤小、出血少、恢复快,在神经充分减压的前提下,能尽可能保持脊柱的稳定性,是治疗老年性腰椎管狭窄症有效方法之一.     

Sagittal spinal alignment in patients with lumbar disc herniation

A retrospective cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate total sagittal spinal alignment in patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and healthy subjects. Abnormal sagittal spinal alignment could cause persistent low back pain in lumbar disease. Previous studies analyzed sciatic scoliotic list in patients with lumbar disc herniation; but there is little or no information on the relationship between sagittal alignment and subjective findings. The study subjects were 61 LDH patients and 60 age-matched healthy subjects. Preoperative and 6-month postoperatively lateral whole-spine standing radiographs were assessed for the distance between C7 plumb line and posterior superior corner on the top margin of S1 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), lumbar lordotic angle between the top margin of the first lumbar vertebra and first sacral vertebra (L1S1), pelvic tilting angle (PA), and pelvic morphologic angle (PRS1). Subjective symptoms were evaluated by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score for lower back pain (nine points). The mean SVA value of the LDH group (32.7 ± 46.5 mm, ± SD) was significantly larger than that of the control (2.5 ± 17.1 mm), while L1S1 was smaller (36.7 ± 14.5°) and PA was larger (25.1 ± 9.0°) in LDH than control group (49.0 ± 10.0° and 18.2 ± 6.0°, respectively). At 6 months after surgery, the malalignment recovered to almost the same level as the control group. SVA correlated with the subjective symptoms measured by the JOA score. Sagittal spinal alignment in LDH exhibits more anterior translation of the C7 plumb line, less lumbar lordosis, and a more vertical sacrum. Measurements of these spinal parameters allowed assessment of the pathophysiology of LDH.     

Communicating spinal arachnoid cysts: diagnosis by delayed metrizamide computed tomography

A case of an extradural spinal arachnoid cyst is presented with emphasis on the neuroradiologic characteristics of this lesion. The cyst was definitely diagnosed by delayed metrizamide spinal computed tomography. Extradural spinal arachnoid cysts, or diverticula, have been the subject of much discussion in the neuroradiologic and neurosurgical literature. However, the appearance of a communicating arachnoid cyst on delayed spinal computed tomography after metrizamide myelography is heretofore undescribed in the English language neurosurgical literature.     

牵引疗法在激光腰椎间盘汽化减压术后的应用价值

经皮激光椎间盘减压术（percutaneous laser disc decompression,PLDD）是治疗腰椎间盘突出症的一项新技术,近年在国内外已相继开展,并取得了一定的疗效。自2004年8月至2005年5月采取PLDD治疗36例腰椎间盘突出症，认为PLDD存在总体有效率不高、复发率高的缺点。2005年6月至2006年6月采用PLDD术后结合腰椎牵引治疗46例腰椎间盘突出症，取得良好效果，报告如下。     

The value of different neuro-imaging methods in the diagnosis of a congenital,spinal, epidural meningeal cyst

Congenital, spinal, epidural cysts are rare causes of transverse or radicular spinal lesions. Usually these cysts are located in the thoracal region, are oblong-shaped, and extend over several segments dorsally to the cord. Frequently, they cause no symptoms for years. They are fairly accessible to diagnostics by modern neuro-imaging methods.We report on a 15 year old girl with paraparesis, which showed a slow progression over two years, short-term remissions, and finally impairment of bladder function.Myelogram, computer-assisted tomography and nuclear magnetic resonance tomography showed a large spaceoccupying mass from D8 to L1 epidural and dorsal of the myelon. Operation disclosed an epidural cyst from D10 to L2. Histologically, the removed material was classified as a meningeal cyst. Post-operatively the girl's condition improved under intensive physio-therapy.For the diagnosis of this spinal dysrhapic disorder CT scanning after intrathecal application of contrast medium and magnetic resonance imaging were most valuable.     

腰椎间盘突出症Lasegue征与MRI定位区域的相关性分析

目的分析腰椎间盘突出症患者Lasegue征与MRI影像定位区域的关系。方法纳入自2015-04—2016-07诊治的50例腰椎间盘突出症。对Lasegue征影响因素进行分析,运用MUS分类法和胡有谷区域分类法对患者腰椎间盘突出节段的MRI片进行区域定位,共定位30个区域,分析Lasegue征与定位区域的关系。结果通过突出区域与Lasegue征的Logistic回归分析发现,椎间盘突出区域与Lasegue征有关(OR=1.007),但其敏感性和特异性并不高(AUC=0.5)。秩和检验发现,30个区域的Lasegue征阳性和阴性表现差异无统计学意义(P=1.0)。本组Lasegue征阳性多集中在18个突出区域,突出在Lesions(2A)+Ⅰ、Lesions(2A)+Ⅲ、Lesions(2AB)+Ⅲ和Lesions(3AB)+Ⅰ区域时,Lasegue征表现阳性的趋势更明显。结论 Lasegue征虽然是腰椎间盘突出症的一项特异性检查,突出在不同区域对其影响不显著,敏感性和特异性不高,但突出在某些固定的区域时,Lasegue征却有着呈阳性的趋势。     

Neovascularization of the outermost area of herniated lumbar intervertebral discs

In 64 surgically treated herniated lumbar intervertebral discs, we performed histopathological studies of neovascularization in the outermost layer of the herniated mass in various types of hernia. We obtained specimens separately from the capsule tissue covering the herniated mass and the inner tip tissue of the herniated mass for comparison. Histologically, in most cases, the capsule tissue was the outermost layer of the annulus fibrosus or posterior longitudinal ligament, and the inner tip tissue was the nucleus pulposus. In the capsule tissue, newly formed small blood vessels were present in 73.4% of the total cases examined, regardless of the hernia type. However, the frequency and degree of such vessels in the tip tissue were significantly higher in hernias that perforated the posterior longitudinal ligament than in those that did not. When the intervertebral disc herniates, new blood vessels proliferate in the capsule of the hernial tissue. At the stage when the hernial capsule tissue is still present, these vessels were observed to have difficulty reaching the inner tip portion. These findings suggest that when the nucleus pulposus portion of the herniated mass perforates the posterior longitudinal ligament, it may be subject to a stronger neovascularization reaction. Received for publication on May 18, 1998; accepted on Jan. 19, 1999     

不同年龄及退变腰椎间盘中蛋白多糖酶活性测定

目的 测定不同年龄以及退变腰椎间盘中的蛋白多糖酶活性,探讨蛋白多糖酶与年龄、退变之间的关系.方法 对20个腰椎间盘的蛋白多糖酶活性进行测定,其中8个腰椎间盘来自胎儿,6个是退变的成人腰椎间盘,6个是正常的成人腰椎间盘.用含有10mmol/L CaCl2的0.05mol/L Tris/HC对腰椎间盘中的蛋白多糖酶进行提取,用1mmol/L APMA将其激活,与取自牛肩胛软骨的蛋白多糖单体底物进行反应,以酶标仪来测定蛋白多糖酶的活性.结果 胎儿腰椎间盘、退变成人腰椎间盘以及正常成人腰椎间盘的蛋白多糖酶活性的吸光度值分别是1.963±0.487、1.719±0.337、0.870±0.133.胎儿腰椎间盘与正常成人腰椎间盘的吸光度值差异有统计学意义(P<0.01),退变成人椎间盘的吸光度值也高于正常成人椎间盘(P<0.01). 结论腰椎间盘中的蛋白多糖酶活性与年龄、退变相关.     

经皮内镜下腰椎间盘摘除术治疗伴腰椎管狭窄的单节段腰椎间盘突症术后复发的影响因素

目的:探讨经皮内窥镜下腰椎间盘摘除术(percutaneous endoscope lumbar discectomy,PELD)治疗伴腰椎管狭窄的腰椎间盘突出症(lumbar disc herniation,LDH)患者术后中期复发与椎管变化的相关性.方法:回顾性分析2016年1月～2018年6月于我院通过PELD治...     

Development of a clinical diagnosis support tool to identify patients with lumbar spinal stenosis

No clinical diagnostic support tool can help identify patients with LSS. Simple diagnostic tool may improve the accuracy of the diagnosis of LSS. The aim of this study was to develop a simple clinical diagnostic tool that may help physicians to diagnose LSS in patients with lower leg symptoms. Patients with pain or numbness of the lower legs were prospectively enrolled. The diagnosis of LSS by experienced orthopedic specialists was the outcome measure. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified factors that predicted LSS; a simple clinical prediction rule was developed by assigning a risk score to each item based on the estimated beta-coefficients. From December 2002 to December 2004, 104 orthopedic physicians from 22 clinics and 50 hospitals evaluated 468 patients. Two items of physical examination, three items of patients' symptom, and five items of physical examination were included in the final scoring system as a result of multiple logistic regression analysis. The sum of the risk scores for each patient ranged from −2 to 16. The Hosmer–Lemeshow statistic was 11.30 (P = 0.1851); the area under the ROC curve was 0.918. The clinical diagnostic support tool had a sensitivity of 92.8% and a specificity of 72.0%. The prevalence of LSS was 6.3% in the bottom quartile of the risk score (−2 to 5) and 99.0% in the top quartile (12 to 16). We developed a simple clinical diagnostic support tool to identify patients with LSS. Further studies are needed to validate this tool in primary care settings.