scholarly journals Clinical implementation of accelerated T2 mapping: Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging as a biomarker for annular tear and lumbar disc herniation

Author(s):  
Marcus Raudner ◽  
Markus M. Schreiner ◽  
Tom Hilbert ◽  
Tobias Kober ◽  
Michael Weber ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives This study evaluates GRAPPATINI, an accelerated T2 mapping sequence combining undersampling and model-based reconstruction to facilitate the clinical implementation of T2 mapping of the lumbar intervertebral disc. Methods Fifty-eight individuals (26 females, 32 males, age 23.3 ± 8.0 years) were prospectively examined at 3 T. This cohort study consisted of 19 patients, 20 rowers, and 19 volunteers. GRAPPATINI was conducted with the same parameters as a conventional 2D multi-echo spin-echo (MESE) sequence in 02:27 min instead of 13:18 min. Additional T2 maps were calculated after discarding the first echo (T2-WO1ST) and only using even echoes (T2-EVEN). Segmentation was done on the four most central slices. The resulting T2 values were compared for all four measurements. Results T2-GRAPPATINI, T2-MESE, T2-EVEN, and T2-WO1ST of the nucleus pulposus of normal discs differed significantly from those of bulging discs or herniated discs (all p < 0.001). For the posterior annular region, only T2-GRAPPATINI showed a significant difference (p = 0.011) between normal and herniated discs. There was a significant difference between T2-GRAPPATINI, T2-MESE, T2-EVEN, and T2-WO1ST of discs with and without an annular tear for the nucleus pulposus (all p < 0.001). The nucleus pulposus’ T2 at different degeneration states showed significant differences between all group comparisons of Pfirrmann grades for T2-GRAPPATINI (p = 0.000–0.018), T2-MESE (p = 0.000–0.015), T2-EVEN (p = 0.000–0.019), and T2-WO1ST (p = 0.000–0.015). Conclusions GRAPPATINI facilitates the use of T2 values as quantitative imaging biomarkers to detect disc pathologies such as degeneration, lumbar disc herniation, and annular tears while simultaneously shortening the acquisition time from 13:18 to 2:27 min. Key Points • T2-GRAPPATINI, T2-MESE, T2-EVEN, and T2-WO1STof the nucleus pulposus of normal discs differed significantly from those of discs with bulging or herniation (all p < 0.001). • The investigated T2mapping techniques differed significantly in discs with and without annular tearing (all p < 0.001). • The nucleus pulposus’ T2showed significant differences between different stages of degeneration in all group comparisons for T2-GRAPPATINI(p = 0.000–0.018), T2-MESE(p = 0.000–0.015), T2-EVEN(p = 0.000–0.019), and T2-WO1ST(p = 0.000–0.015).

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenan Hao ◽  
Huan Liu ◽  
Yang Yang ◽  
Qingle Zeng ◽  
Xiaofeng He

PURPOSE: To investigate the sub-types of lumbar disc herniation, compare efficacies of ozone treatment in various types of lumbar disc herniation and analyze the mechanisms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 250 patients (159 males, 91 females; age range: 14 - 85 years) diagnosed of lumbar disc herniation from January 2009 to Jun 2014 in Nanfang Hospital were enrolled. Disc Lesions, classified by Magnetic Resonance examinations and images when injecting ozone under Digital Subtraction Angiography, were divided into four types: type I: Non-prominent nucleus pulposus with ruptured fibre ring; type II: Prominent nucleus pulposus with ruptured fibre ring; type III: Non-prominent nucleus pulposus with Non-ruptured fibre ring; type IV: Prominent nucleus pulposus with Non-ruptured fibre ring. All patients underwent intradiscal and paravertebral injection of oxygen-ozone. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) weighted score was administered for the measurement of low back pain before treatment, and the evaluation of efficacy respectively at 1 week, 1 month, 6 month and 12 month follow-up period. RESULTS: Most of the patients (about 4/5) showed better response to ozone treatment. Herniated disc shrinkage was obtained among type II and IV. The type II had the most reduction of average score while the type III had the least. The proportion of patients who had once experienced pain relief at the follow up interval, namely the curative efficacy, showed significant difference: type I occupied the most, type IV occupied the least. CONCLUSION: Ozone treatment is effective and safe for all types of lumbar disc herniation, but efficacy varies according the types, of which type I has the best results and type IV has the worst ones.


2019 ◽  
Vol 103 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 87-94
Author(s):  
Qi Lai ◽  
Yuan Liu ◽  
Runsheng Guo ◽  
Xin Lv ◽  
Qiang Wang ◽  
...  

Purpose: To investigate the association of facet joint asymmetry with lumbar disc herniation at the lower lumbar spine. Methods: A total of 90 patients (ages 18–40 years) with single-level disc herniation (L3–L4, L4–L5, or L5–S1) were included in the study. Facet asymmetry was defined as a difference of 10° in facet joint angles between right and left sides. Normal discs in the same segment of other individuals were used as a control. Patients had facet asymmetry measured for L3 to S1 through 3.0T magnetic resonance imaging, and information was collected, including age, sex, degenerative degree of lumbar facet joints, and the presence or absence of lumbar disc herniation and type. Results: At the L3 to L4 level, 2 cases had facet asymmetry in 8 patients with lumbar disc herniation, compared with 17 cases of facet asymmetry in 82 patients without disc herniation (P = 0.7776, r = 0.030). At the L4 to L5 level, there were 21 cases of facet asymmetry in 45 patients with lumbar disc herniation, compared with 5 cases of asymmetry in 45 patients without disc herniation (P = 0.00019, r = 0.392). At the L5 to S1 level, there were 25 cases of facet asymmetry in 37 patients with lumbar disc herniation, compared with 11 cases of facet asymmetry in 53 patients without disc herniation (P = 0.0000, r = 0.492). There were 23 cases of facet asymmetry in 28 disc herniations of side type compared with 2 cases of facet asymmetry in 9 herniations of center type (P = 0.0008, r = 0.364). There was no significant difference in the relationship between age, facet joint degeneration, and lumbar facet joint asymmetry (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: Facet asymmetry is significantly associated with lumbar disc herniation at the L4 to L5 and the L5 to S1 levels, whereas there is an obvious association with the side type of lumbar disc herniation at the L5 to S1 level.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feilong Wei ◽  
Haoran Gao ◽  
Yifang Yuan ◽  
Shu Qian ◽  
Quanyou Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Percutaneous Transforaminal Endoscopic Discectomy is used increasingly in patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation. There is little knowledge on the related factors including SLR test influencing the operation. Therefore, we designed this prospective study to explore the relevant factors influencing postoperative effect of PTED surgery.Methods: Consecutive patients with LDH who came to our hospital from August 2015 to September 2016 and received PTED surgery. 4 kinds of scales including VAS (lumbar/leg), ODI and JOA were measured and reassessed at 1 day, 3 months, 6 months, 12months and 36 months after the PTED to assess their surgical outcomes. Results: All the patients had successful surgery. ODI and VAS (lumbar/leg) decreased in all patients and groups. And there was a statistically significant difference in each postoperative follow-up compared with that before surgery in every visit. In addition, the increase of JOA in postoperation was statistically significant compared with that before surgery. And, there is statistically significant difference between the three subpopulations (patients with SLR Positive (0°-30°), SLR Positive (31°-60°) and SLR Negative (61°-) in the changes of the scores of VAS(leg), ODI and JOA. However, there is no statistically significant difference between the three subpopulations (patients with SLR Positive (0°-30°), SLR Positive (31°-60°) and SLR Negative (61°--RRB- in the changes of the score of VAS(lumbar). Conclusions: PTED showed great effect on treating patients with lumbar disc herniation. And the main scale score such as VAS(leg). ODI and JOA showed that there is a statistically significant difference between the three subpopulations treated by PTED. Patients with SLR negative may get greater benefit from PTED.


2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (05) ◽  
pp. 983-994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Wei Guo ◽  
Ping Zhao ◽  
Wei Zhou ◽  
Jie Wei ◽  
...  

A clinical study was conducted in 72 lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients and 40 asymptomatic subjects to evaluate the efficacy of Feng's spinal manipulation (FSM). FSM was performed twice a week for less than 20 days. Changes in the symmetrical index of spinal column (SISC) and quantified symptom index (QSI) before and after FSM in both groups were collected. The QSI consisted of the visual analogue scale (VAS), score of the Japanese Orthopedic Association, and straight leg raising test, for measurement of pain perception, dysfunction of lower limb extension or flexion, and symptomatic relief. A correlation analysis was conducted to compare the difference in protruded nucleus pulposus size using computerized projection grating profilometry, SISC, and QSI before and after the therapy. The results showed that the SISC and QSI significantly decreased after treatment in the LDH group (p < 0.01). The SISC before and after treatment was closely correlated with the improvement of QSI, although there was no change in protruded nucleus pulposus following the therapy. Among the five components in SISC, the LR was found to be an ideal indicator for evaluation of the real circumstances in LDH patients. Our data suggested that FSM achieved satisfactory therapeutic effects in relieving the symptom of LDH while no effects were observed in asymptomatic subjects.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-59
Author(s):  
Tashi Wangchuk ◽  
Kunzang P. Wangmo ◽  
Thinley Norbu

Introduction: Low back pain is one of the most common complaints in the general population which represents a significant public health problem. Epidural Steroid Injection is being considered as a simple, effective and minimally invasive treatment modality for lumbar disc herniation. However, most studies only find a short-term benefit. In Bhutan, till date, no study has been done in Bhutan on this subject. The objective of our study was to find the effect of epidural steroid injection for low back pain due to lumbar disc herniation. Methods: An observational one-year-period study completed in Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital. Symptomatic and positive Magnetic Resonance Imaging patients with lumbar disc herniation were included in our study. Pain scores were collected using Numeric Rating Scale at three different points of study. We also included patients’ age, weight and trauma history as some of the independent variables to study their associations with pain scores. The data obtained were analyzed using the Stata software program. One way repeated measures ANOVA was used to assess the significant difference in pain score. Results: Out of 100 participants recruited for the study, 91 of them completed demographic data and only 81 patients completed follow-up till 4 weeks post-treatment for demographic analysis and analytical analysis, respectively. There was a significant difference in pain scores in all three different points of study (p <0.01). No significant difference was observed in the pain scores amongst different age groups, gender, occupation and trauma history (p >0.05) at all three points of study. Conclusion: Our study observed a significant short-term benefit from epidural Triamcinolone injection for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sherwan Hamawandi ◽  
Injam Ibrahim Sulaiman ◽  
Ameer Kadhim Al-Humairi

Abstract Background Discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation is the most common surgical procedure in spine surgery. Lumbar discectomy can be done by traditional open method or by varieties of minimal invasive techniques mainly microscopic or endoscopic procedures. This study evaluates the effectiveness of microdiscectomy compared with open discectomy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation as a relation to the relief of leg pain, post-operative back pain, postoperative hospital stay and returns to daily activity. Methods Sixty patients were included in this study, 30 patients underwent an open discectomy and 30 patients underwent microdiscectomy. Those patients were followed up for 12 months after surgery. Each patient was evaluated for the postoperative back pain, leg pain, duration of hospital stay postoperatively and return to sedentary daily activity. The methods used to evaluate each patient are Visual analogue scale for back pain and leg pain and Oswestry disability index. Results Results showed that there is a significant difference in the postoperative back pain, duration of postoperative hospital stay and the time of return to sedentary daily activities between open discectomy and microdiscectomy with superiority for microdiscectomy while there is no significant difference in the relieving leg pain between the open discectomy and microdiscectomy. Conclusion Microdisctomy is effective as open discectomy in the aspect of relieving the leg pain with the advantage of less postoperative back pain, less postoperative hospital stay and early return to sedentary daily activities.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong Son ◽  
Chan Jong Yoo ◽  
Byung Rhae Yoo ◽  
Woo Seok Kim ◽  
Tae Seok Jeong

Abstract Background: Trans-sacral epiduroscopic laser decompression (SELD) using slender epiduroscope and a holmium YAG laser is one of the minimally invasive surgical options for lumbar disc herniation. However, the learning curve of SELD and the effect of surgical proficiency on clinical outcome have not yet been established. We investigated patients with lumbar disc herniation undergoing SELD to report the clinical outcome and learning curve. Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical outcome and learning curve were performed at a single center from clinical data collected from November 2015 to November 2018. A total of 82 patients who underwent single-level SELD for lumbar disc herniation with a minimum follow-up of 6.0 months were enrolled. Based on the findings that the cut-off of familiarity was 20 cases according to the cumulative study of operation time, patients were allocated to two groups: early group (n = 20) and late group (n = 62). The surgical, clinical, and radiological outcomes were retrospectively evaluated between the two groups to analyze the learning curve of SELD.Results: According to linear and log regression analyses, the operation time was obtained by the formula: operation time = 58.825 - (0.181 × [case number]) (p < 0.001). The mean operation time was significantly different between the two groups (mean 56.95 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 49.12–64.78 in the early group versus mean 45.34 minutes; 95% CI, 42.45–48.22 in the late group; p = 0.008, non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test).Baseline characteristics, including demographic data, clinical factors, and findings of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, did not differ between the two groups. Also, there was no significant difference in terms of surgical outcomes, including complication and failure rates, as well as clinical and radiological outcomes between the two groups.Conclusion: The learning curve of SELD was not as steep as that of other minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques, and the experience of surgery was not an influencing factor for outcome variation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seong Son ◽  
Chan Jong Yoo ◽  
Byung Rhae Yoo ◽  
Woo Seok Kim ◽  
Tae Seok Jeong

Abstract Background: Trans-sacral epiduroscopic laser decompression (SELD) using slender epiduroscope and a holmium YAG laser is one of the minimally invasive surgical options for lumbar disc herniation.However, the learning curve of SELD and the effect of surgical proficiency on clinical outcome have not yet been established. We investigated patients with lumbar disc herniation undergoing SELD to report the clinical outcome and learning curve.Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical outcome and learning curve were performed at a single center from clinical data collected from November 2015 to November 2018. A total of 82 patients who underwent single-level SELD for lumbar disc herniation with a minimum follow-up of 6.0 months were enrolled. Based on the findings that the cut-off of familiarity was 20 cases according to the cumulative study of operation time, patients were allocated to two groups: early group (n = 20) and late group (n = 62). The surgical, clinical, and radiological outcomes were retrospectively evaluated between the two groups to analyze the learning curve of SELD.Results: According to linear and log regression analyses, the operation time was obtained by the formula: operation time = 58.825 - (0.181 × [case number]) (p < 0.001). The mean operation time was significantly different between the two groups (mean 56.95 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], 49.12–64.78 in the early group versus mean 45.34 minutes; 95% CI, 42.45–48.22 in the late group; p = 0.008, non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test).Baseline characteristics, including demographic data, clinical factors, and findings of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging, did not differ between the two groups. Also, there was no significant difference in terms of surgical outcomes, including complication and failure rates, as well as clinical and radiological outcomes between the two groups.Conclusion: The learning curve of SELD was not as steep as that of other minimally invasive spinal surgery techniques, and the experience of surgery was not an influencing factor for outcome variation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Yu ◽  
Ye Jiang ◽  
Fuling Xu ◽  
Yuhang Mao ◽  
Lutao Yuan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) has become popular for the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH). The very highly up-migrated lumbar disc herniation (VHUM-LDH) is difficult to remove under PELD. The purpose of this research is to investigate the feasibility, clinical efficacy and operative nuances of a novel VTT involving TELF for this type of herniation. Methods Eleven patients with very highly up-migrated LDH who underwent VTT involving TELF discectomy from May 2016 to May 2019 were included in this study. The operative time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications were recorded. Pre-and postoperative radiologic findings were investigated. All the patients were followed more than 1 year. The visual analogue score (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores and modified MacNab criteria were used to assess surgical efficacy. Results All the 11 patients underwent successful surgery. We compared the VAS, ODI, and JOA scores before and after surgery. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). According to the modified MacNab criteria, 10 patients were assessed as “excellent”, 1 patient was assessed as “good” at the last follow up. Conclusion The novel VTT involving TELF discectomy is a supplement to the traditional PELD. This technique enables the endoscope with working cannula to get closer the sequestrated nucleus pulposus without irritating the exiting nerve root, and facilitates the nucleus pulposus be removed successfully under direct visualization. The VTT involving TELF discectomy can be a safe, effective and feasible surgical procedure for the treatment of LDH with very highly up-migrated.


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