Functional results after anterior lumbar fusion at L5-S1 in patients with normal and abnormal MRI scans.

The debate continues as to which patient responds best to surgical versus nonsurgical intervention for painful degenerative disc syndrome. Discography is often used as the basis for that decision. In a review of 53 cases followed for an average of 20 months after surgery, only 50% of patients with type I (contained) discography and normal magnetic resonance imaging findings were found to be improved. In those patients with types II and III (noncontained) discography and abnormal magnetic resonance imaging scans, a 75% success rate was seen. There was an overall 80% fusion rate for all patients who underwent anterior lumbar fusion at L5-S1. Average age was 34 years, with average length of disability from low-back pain of 11 months. All patients were placed in a similar presurgery and postsurgery rehabilitation protocol and had failed nonsurgical treatment options. In this matched group of patients, those with abnormal magnetic resonance imaging scans and abnormal discography, clearly fared better, with a 75% percent success rate versus 50% success rate in those with normal magnetic resonance imaging findings. This series raises the question as to whether those patients with normal magnetic resonance imaging findings are surgical candidates.     

The relative value of lumbar roentgenograms, metrizamide myelography, and discography in the assessment of patients with chronic low-back syndrome

This prospective study evaluated the relative value of lumbar roentgenograms, metrizamide myelography, and discography in identifying structural sources for chronic low-back syndrome. One hundred and eight patients with chronic low-back syndrome were evaluated. Patients had not previously had pathology identified which could explain their pain. On discography, 83 patients (78%) had their pain reproduced at least one abnormal level, identifying a structural component to their pain. Only 22 patients (21%) had all levels of pathology identified by roentgenograms and an additional 17 (16%) had pathology appropriately identified by a combination of myelograms and roentgenograms. Using roentgenograms, myelography, and discography, organic pathology was identified which could explain the patient's symptoms in 100 of 108 patients (93%). Based on this study, we think discography is an important diagnostic tool for use in evaluating patients with chronic low-back syndrome. Discography is essential to adequately identify abnormal levels in patients being considered for fusions. Roentgenograms and myelograms are inadequate evaluation in this chronic pain group in that lack of organic pathology cannot be assumed in the presence of normal roentgenograms and myelograms.     

Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of disc degeneration: correlation with discography

One hundred and one disc levels in 36 patients with low-back pain were studied with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (T2-weighted) sagittal images and conventional roentgenographic discography to detect early disc degeneration. Thirty-nine discs also were evaluated after discography with roentgenographic CT MRI findings were compared with discography results. MRI was 99% accurate in predicting normality or abnormality as determined by discography. Changes in disc signal on MRI accurately reflected the presence or absence of degenerative changes seen on discography in patients with low-back pain. Clinically, MRI is a useful technique for detecting early disc degeneration and for assessing the affected disc level and adjacent levels in patients with low-back pain and spondylolithesis.     

CT scanning of lumbar discography. A useful diagnostic adjunct

Twenty-two patients with continued, undiagnosed symptoms of low back and sciatic pain for an average of 14 months were assessed. Patients studied had prior negative evaluations, including EMG, CT scanning, and/or metrizamide myelography. Three-level, posterolateral, extradural discography was performed on the side opposite the sciatica. One to 6-hours after discography, CT scanning was performed on all injected discs: 91% demonstrated abnormal discograms at one/more levels. CT imaging demonstrated contrast tracking to the periphery of the disc in 82%. Discography reproduced the patient's symptoms in 77%. The direction of contrast tracking seen on scanning correlated with clinical symptoms in 73% and with symptoms at discography in 82%. CT scanning was thought to be a useful adjunct to lumbar discography in patients with prior negative evaluations.     

腰椎间盘MRI高信号区在诊断椎间盘源性下腰痛中的意义

目的:探讨腰椎间盘MRI高信号区(HIZ)在诊断椎间盘源性下腰痛中的作用。方法:对52例经保守治疗无效、CT影像上无腰椎间盘突出的下腰痛患者行腰椎MRI检查和腰椎间盘造影术,分析腰椎间盘MRI高信号区与腰椎间盘造影诱发的下腰痛之间的关系。结果:在行腰椎间盘造影的142个椎间盘中,共有38个椎间盘呈现疼痛复制反应,其中17个椎间盘显示高信号区。这17个有高信号区的椎间盘在椎间盘造影过程中全部呈现2～3级的纤维环破裂和疼痛复制反应。结论:无椎间盘突出的下腰痛患者在腰椎MRI上存在椎间盘内高信号区,可表明该椎间盘是产生腰痛的破裂椎间盘。     

The role of anterior lumbar fusion for internal disc disruption

Internal disc disruption is a syndrome of traumatically induced low-back pain arising from the intervertebral disc. The diagnosis is confirmed by abnormal discography with concordant pain reproduction at the affected level or levels. Thirty-four patients with internal disc disruption at one level were followed for an average of 29 months. Eighteen (53%) underwent anterior lumbar fusion at the L4-5 disc, 11 (32%) at the L5-S1 disc and the remainder at the L3-4 or L2-3 disc. Bank bone was used in all but seven patients for interbody fusion. Treatment was judged a success by the patient returning to work or normal activities and requiring either no medications or an antiinflammatory drug only. By the above criteria 25 patients (74%) had successful outcome of treatment. The average time to return to work or normal activities was 6.1 months. The overall union rate was 73% with an average time to union of approximately 12 months. Complications consisted of graft extrusion requiring revision and retrograde ejaculation. These occurred in one patient and were the only complications in the series. We concluded that disc excision and anterior interbody fusion is an effective treatment for internal disc disruption.     

The stress lumbar discogram

Stress discography is that done during the time in which the subject's pain is present at a significant level of intensity. This prospective study examines the findings in 200 patients who were evaluated for low-back pain. A standardized injection technique was used and the contrast pattern within the disc was studied radiographically and with CT scanning. Pain response was recorded. Familiar low-back pain was reproduced in all cases, and familiar leg pain in 46% of cases. Of 549 discs studied, 319 reproduced familiar pain, an average of 1.6 discs per patient. Pain reproduction occurred in 69% of the L5 discs, 62% of the L4 discs, and 25% of the L3 discs. Internal disc disruption was present in 302 discs, but extruded annular material was found in only 19. Stress discography is a useful diagnostic study in evaluating patients with low-back pain.     

Localization of symptomatic lumbar pseudarthroses by use of discography

Twenty-four patients with lumbar pseudarthroses following attempted fusion were investigated by preoperative discography. The pseudarthroses were confirmed at surgical exploration. In 19 patients, discography at the level of a pseudarthrosis reproduced typical back pain, and in two patients the level above the fusion reproduced typical pain. Discography is not indicated when the major symptoms are leg or buttock pain. Technical errors included injection into the annulus fibrosis and impingement of the needle into the vertebral endplate. The latter may produce a false-positive result. Previous posterior fusions and very narrow disc spaces prevented insertion of the needle in some patients. Not all lumbar pseudarthroses were symptomatic, and two frequently occurred in the same patient. Discography is a useful adjunct to the traditional investigation of lumbar pseudarthroses.     

A reassessment of Holt's data on: "The question of lumbar discography"

This paper is a detailed critique of Holt's study entitled "The Question of Lumbar Discography." His finding of a 37% false positive rate in asymptomatic volunteers has been used to discredit lumbar discography as a valid diagnostic study in the investigation of low back pain patients with nonprolapsing disc disease of the lumbar spine. The authors show why Holt's paper should no longer be used as scientific and authoritative evidence against the use of discography by today's standards.     

Cauda equina compression post lumbar discography

Discography is used as an aid in the diagnosis of back pain related to intervertebral disc pathology. It involves attempting to elicit the patient's pain symptoms by injecting contrast into the suspected pathological disc. The overall complication rate of discography is low, with discitis being the most common complication and acute disc herniation post lumbar discography being reported in a small number of cases. We describe the case of a patient who developed cauda equina compression post lumbar discography.     

Lumbar discography followed by computed tomography. Refining the diagnosis of low-back pain

Two hundred fifty patients with low-back pain who underwent lumbar discography followed by computed tomography (CT) are the subject of this prospective study. In 93% of the patients, these combined imaging techniques provided additional useful diagnostic information that affected patient management and the selection of treatment alternatives. Lumbar discography followed by CT proved valuable in determining the significance of equivocal or multiple level abnormalities, determining the type of disc herniation, defining surgical options, and evaluating the previously operated spine. In 94% of patients who had surgery, CT-discography correctly predicted the type of disc herniation as protruded, extruded, sequestrated, or internally disrupted. Computed tomography-discography may be more sensitive that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the early stages of disc degeneration because 18 of 177 discs with a normal T2-weighted image were discographically abnormal and the CT-discogram revealed annular tears or radial fissuring. The radiographic morphology of the normal herniated and degenerative lumbar discs shown by CT-discography gives unique insight into the pathogenesis of disc degeneration. The complications that followed the 750 discograms were one case of urticaria and one disc space infection. Even with the availability of high resolution CT and MRI, lumbar discography remains the only pain provocation challenge to the lumbar disc.     

MRI and discography of annular tears and intervertebral disc degeneration. A prospective clinical comparison.

We attempted to correlate the findings of MRI and discography in patients with low back pain, examining 108 lumbar intervertebral discs in 33 consecutive patients. MRI results were assessed from the intensity and shape of the signal obtained from the central part of the disc. Discography was classified according to the pattern of contrast material, the pressure accepted and the pain reproduced. All discs which were abnormal on MRI had altered patterns on discography, but 18 of the 60 discs with normal MRI had abnormal discograms. Of 39 asymptomatic discs, 33 had normal MRI signals and 24 had normal discograms. None of the 15 discs showing severe degeneration on MRI sustained high levels of intradiscal pressure, but only six of the 60 discs giving normal MRI had low pressure. With current techniques, discography is more accurate than MRI for the detection of annular pathology: a normal MRI does not exclude significant changes in the peripheral structure of the intervertebral disc which can produce low back pain.     

Results of lumbosacral fusion for degenerative disc disease with and without instrumentation. Two- to five-year follow-up.

Functional and surgical outcomes are reported in two consecutive groups of patients who underwent one- and two-level lumbosacral fusion. The first group underwent standard posterolateral lumbosacral fusion, and the second group underwent lumbosacral fusion with compression U-rod instrumentation. Fusions were carried out over all painful, abnormal levels documented by discography. the pseudarthrosis rate without instrumentation was 35%, in contrast to 6% with instrumentation. In both groups of patients with chronic low-back pain secondary to degenerative disc disease, solid lumbosacral fusion was associated with decreased pain and higher return to work rates. Poorest results were associated with prolonged periods of preoperative disability and long-term disability claims.     

A critical evaluation of discography in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc disease

STUDY DESIGN: The study is a prospective observational study of 48 continuous patients with symptomatic lumbar degenerative disk disease. Each patient underwent discography, MRI, and a biochemical analysis of disk lavage fluid. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to correlate concordant pain on discography with MRI grade and biochemical markers of inflammation in a clinical setting. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The pathophysiology of degenerative disk disease is complex. Discography is used to differentiate symptomatic from asymptomatic levels. MRI is used to image changes in disk water content. Biochemical assays have identified molecular markers of inflammation. To date, no study has correlated concordant pain on discography with MRI findings and biochemical markers. METHODS: Forty-eight (48) continuous patients with symptomatic lumbar degenerative disk disease gave informed consent for study entry. Patient sex, age, insurance, work status and visual analog score (VAS) were recorded. MRI was obtained and Pfirrmann grading was performed by a single spine surgeon. Discography with disc lavage was performed by a single anesthesiologist. Lavage samples were tested for inflammatory markers with high resolution multi-plex bead immunoassays and ELISA with >5 pg/ml resolution. RESULTS: None of demographic variables was significantly related to concordant pain on discogram by chi-squared tests and Mann-Whitney U-test. The Pfirrmann score was significantly different for patients with and without concordant pain at L3-L4 (p<0.001), but was insignificant at other levels after multitest correction. Pfirrmann scores were significantly different at any level in patients with and without concordant pain. VAS scores were not significantly correlated with opening pressures at any level. Despite the presence of serum proteins in the disk lavage fluid, none of the tested inflammatory mediators was identified by multi-plex bead immunoassays and ELISA. CONCLUSIONS: There are only weak correlations between demographic, discogram, and radiographic variables. Response to discogram cannot be predicted by non-invasive means. The disk lavage method was unable to identify the presence of specific inflammatory peptides with multi-plex immunoassays and ELISA.     

化学性神经根炎

目的研究分析疼痛椎间盘的纤维环破裂与患者下肢放射痛的关系,进而探讨是否存在化学性神经根炎这一临床病理现象.方法临床收集42例单节段椎间盘源性下腰痛伴单侧或双侧下肢放射痛患者,男27例,女15例;年龄19～52岁,平均34.9岁;症状持续至少6个月,平均3年4个月.通过椎间盘造影和其后的CT扫描,分析纤维环撕裂方向与下肢放射痛侧别的关系;行肌电图和运动神经传导速度检查,分析有无神经根损伤,以及其与下肢放射痛的关系.结果腰椎间盘造影时,所有患者显示单水平纤维环破裂且呈现一致性疼痛复制反应,纤维环撕裂方向与下肢放射痛的侧别有显著的正相关性.42例肌电图检查提示神经根损害者32例（76%）.23例单侧下肢放射痛者中17例（74%）存在神经根损害,均为同侧;19例双侧下肢放射痛者中有15例（79%）存在神经根损害.症状侧腓总神经和胫神经运动传导速度较正常侧减慢,差异有统计学意义.结论疼痛椎间盘产生的炎性化学物质通过纤维环全层撕裂漏出并作用于相邻神经根引起神经根损害,可能是化学性神经根炎产生的基本病理生理学机制.     

腰椎间盘造影在椎间盘源性腰痛诊治中的应用

目的应用椎间盘造影对椎间盘源性腰痛进行诊断并评价椎间融合手术的疗效。方法2003年10月—2004年6月间对45例具有椎间盘源性腰痛症状的患者进行了椎间盘造影,共101个椎间盘。所有病例全部进行了MRI和CT检查。观察造影图像和MRI表现,记录诱发痛、手术和保守治疗的疗效。结果45例患者中21例出现了诱发痛（47％）,101个造影椎间盘中有21个椎间盘出现诱发痛（21％）;21例诱发痛阳性患者中18例接受了360。融合手术,随访时间平均16个月（15～23个月）,术后11例患者腰痛完全消失（11／18,优：61％）,4例疼痛基本消失（4／18,良：22％）,3例腰痛无变化（3／18,差：17％）;3例诱发痛阳性患者和24例诱发痛阴性患者行保守治疗,在同期随访中,1例腰痛完全消失（1／27,优：4％）,10例疼痛基本消失（10／27,良：37％）,16例疼痛无变化甚至加重（16／27,差：59％）。结论腰椎间盘造影对椎间盘源性腰痛的诊断具有一定的敏感性,但不是一个特异性诊断方法;对确定为疼痛原因的椎间隙实施椎间360。融合手术可以消除患者的疼痛,中期效果好。     

Guidelines for the performance of fusion procedures for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Part 8: lumbar fusion for disc herniation and radiculopathy

There is no convincing medical evidence to support the routine use of lumbar fusion at the time of a primary lumbar disc excision. There is conflicting Class III medical evidence regarding the potential benefit of the addition of fusion in this circumstance. Therefore, the definite increase in cost and complications associated with the use of fusion are not justified. Patients with preoperative lumbar instability may benefit from fusion at the time of lumbar discectomy; however, the incidence of such instability appears to be very low (< 5%) in the general lumbar disc herniation population. Patients who suffer from chronic low-back pain, or are heavy laborers or athletes with axial low-back pain, in addition to radicular symptoms may also be candidates for fusion at the time of lumbar disc excision. Patients with a recurrent disc herniation have been treated successfully with both reoperative discectomy and reoperative discectomy combined with fusion. In patients with a recurrent lumbar disc herniation with associated spinal deformity, instability, or associated chronic low-back pain, consideration of fusion in addition to reoperative discectomy is recommended.     

Psychophysical measurements during lumbar discography: a heart rate response study

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical data analysis. OBJECTIVE: To determine if heart rate (HR) response correlates with positive discography results. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Lumbar discography is a controversial tool for the diagnosis of discogenic low back pain. The subjective nature of discography can make data interpretation difficult, leading to false-positive and false-negative results. HR changes have been found in numerous studies to be a reliable and valid indicator of acute pain. To date, there is no study analyzing the HR response to discography-induced pain. METHODS: The HR measurements were recorded immediately preceding and after contrast injection into the each disc, and statistically correlated with the provocation of concordant pain, nonconcordant pain, and nonpainful discs. RESULTS: Discography was performed in 26 subjects with low back pain. Among 75 discograms, 26 discs elicited concordant pain, 9 provoked nonconcordant pain, and 40 elicited no pain response. There was no significant change in HR during disc stimulation for negative [no pain response (P=0.19) and nonconcordant (P=0.26)] discograms, whereas positive discograms [concordant pain (numerical rating scale> or =6/10)] were associated with a statistically significant increase in HR (P=0.000002). CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar discography induces positive HR response only in positive discograms. Although there is no immediate practical application of these results, 2 implications may deserve future research: (a) correlation of HR response with surgical and intradiscal electrotherapy treatment outcomes; (b) evaluation of HR measurement in cases of false-positive results (concordant pain on discography but no HR response).     

腰椎间盘造影在椎间盘源性腰痛诊治中的应用

[目的]探讨椎间盘造影对椎间盘源性腰痛的诊断价值及椎间融合手术的疗效。[方法]2003年10月～2004年6月间对45例具有椎间盘源性腰痛症状的病人进行了椎间盘造影,共101个椎间盘,45例中依据椎间盘造影的结果行椎间360°融合手术18例,保守治疗27例。所有病例全部进行了MRI和CT检查。观察造影图像和MRI表现,记录诱发痛,随访手术组和保守组的疗效。[结果]45例中2l例出现了诱发痛(47%),101个造影椎间盘中有21个椎间盘出现诱发痛(21%);21例诱发痛阳性的病人中18例接受了360°融合手术,随访时间平均6个月(3～10个月),术后1l例病人腰痛完全消失(11/18,优:61%),4例疼痛基本消失(4/18,良:22%),3例腰痛无变化(3/18,差:17%);3例诱发痛阳性的病人和24例诱发痛阴性的病人行保守治疗,在同期随访中,1例腰痛完全消失(1/27,优:4%),10例疼痛基本消失(10/27,良:37%),16例疼痛没有变化甚至加重(16/27,差:59%)。[结论]腰椎间盘造影对椎间盘源性腰痛的诊断具有一定的敏感性,对确定为疼痛原因的椎间隙实施椎间360°融合手术可以消除病人的疼痛,近期效果比保守治疗好。     

False-positive findings on lumbar discography. Reliability of subjective concordance assessment during provocative disc injection

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental disc injections in subjects with no history of low back symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To determine in an experimental model the reliability of patients' subjective interpretation of pain concordancy during provocative disc injection. BACKGROUND: Discography in the evaluation of low back pain relies on a patient's subjective assessment of pain magnitude and quality during disc injection. Reproduction of significant pain on disc injection, which is similar to patients' usual pain, is believed to prove that the disc injected is the source of the patient's low back pain. In the current study, this hypothesis was tested in a controlled setting on patients with known nonspinal pain in a common referral area of discogenic pain. METHODS: Patients with no history of low back pain were recruited to participate in a study of discography. Patients scheduled to undergo posterior iliac crest bone graft harvesting for nonthoracolumbar procedures were evaluated with lumbar radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and psychometric testing. Two to 4 months after bone graft harvesting, patients underwent lumbar discography by strict blinded protocol. Patients were asked to compare the sensations elicited at discography to their usual back/buttock pain since bone graft harvesting. Pain was rated as 0-5 on a pain thermometer and concordancy was rated as none, dissimilar, similar, or exact. RESULTS: Eight subjects completed the study, and 24 discs were injected. Of the 14 disc injections causing some pain response, 5 were believed to be "different" (nonconcordant) pains (35.7%); 7 were "similar" (50.0%), and 2 were "exact" pain reproductions (14.3%). The presence of anular disruption predicted concordant pain reproduction (P < 0.05). Of 10 discs with anular tears, injection of 5 elicited pain that was similar to or an exact reproduction of pain at the iliac crest bone graft harvest sites. By the usual criteria for positive discography, 4 of the 8 patients (50%) would have been classified as positive. In these patients, the pain on a single disc injection was very painful, and the pain quality was noted to be exact or similar to the usual discomfort. All subjects had a negative control disc. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study demonstrate that patients with no history of low back pain who had undergone posterior iliac bone graft harvesting for nonlumbar procedures often experienced a concordant painful sensation on lumbar discography with their usual gluteal area pain. Thus, the ability of a patient to separate spinal from nonspinal sources of pain on discography is questioned, and a response of concordant pain on discography may be less meaningful than often assumed.