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Evaluation of the post-operative lumbar spine with MR imaging
| Content Provider | Scilit |
|---|---|
| Author | Grane, P. Lindqvist, M. |
| Copyright Year | 1997 |
| Description | Purpose: Two new signs of lumbar nerve-root affection have been reported in recent years on the basis of MR examinations, namely: thickening in nerve roots; and contrast enhancement in nerve roots. the aim of this study was to assess contrast enhancement in nerve roots in a standardised way, and to evaluate the clinical significance of contrast enhancement and of nerve-root thickening in the symptomatic post-operative lumbar spine Material and Methods: A total of 121 patients (who had previously been operated on for lumbar disc herniation) underwent 152 MR examinations, mainly on a 1.5 T system. Focal nerve-root enhancement was identified by visual assessment. Intradural enhancement was also quantified by pixel measurements that compared the affected nerve roots before and after contrast administration. Non-affected nerve roots were used as reference Results: Enhanced nerve roots in the dural sac increased at least 40–50% in signal intensity after contrast administration compared to pre-contrast images and also compared to non-affected nerve roots. Intradural nerve-root enhancement was seen in 10% of the patients and focal enhancement in the root sleeve was seen in a further 26%. Nerve-root thickening was seen in 30%. Good correlation with clinical symptoms was found in 59% of the patients with intradural enhancement, in 84% with focal enhancement, and in 86% with nerve-root thickening. the combination of thickening and enhancement in the nerve root correlated with symptoms in 86% of the patients Conclusion: Nerve-root enhancement (whether focal or intradural) and thickening in the nerve root are significant MR findings in the post-operative lumbar spine. in combination with disc herniation or nerve-root displacement, these two signs may strengthen the indication for repeat surgery. However, root enhancement within 6 months of previous surgery may be a normal post-operative finding |
| Related Links | http://acr.sagepub.com/content/38/6/1035.full.pdf |
| Ending Page | 1042 |
| Page Count | 8 |
| Starting Page | 1035 |
| ISSN | 02841851 |
| e-ISSN | 16000455 |
| DOI | 10.1080/02841859709172126 |
| Journal | Acta Radiologica |
| Issue Number | 6 |
| Volume Number | 38 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited |
| Publisher Date | 1997-11-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Journal: Acta Radiologica Rehabilitation Mr Imaging Lumbar Spine Evaluation Operative Lumbar Post Operative |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |
| Subject | Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging Radiological and Ultrasound Technology |
