MRI of the intervertebral disc in lumbar disc disease

Background. MRI of the intervertebral disc in discopathy of the lumbar spine have been presented.
Material and methods. a group of 51 patients clinically diagnosed as discopathy of the lumbar spine were subjected to three MR imaging procedures. Imaging was performed before surgery, 6 weeks after surgery, and 12 weeks after surgery.
Results. The MRI was consistent with the surgery findings in 88.2% of cases. Instead, images taken 6 weeks after surgery were non-characteristic and difficult to differentiate. In the spinal canal tissue was visible with the image similar to nucleus pulposus herniation, granulation from a growing haematoma, or after surgery scar. Twelve weeks after surgery, the MR image is characteristic and correlated with the patient's clinical state.
Conclusions.
1. MRI image allows an evaluation of intervertebral disc healing after discectomy.
2.MRI 12 weeks post-surgery correlates with patient's clinical symptoms.
3.MRI with Gd-DTPA contrast enhanced allows a precise analysis of the causes of unsatisfactory results of operative treatment.