Analysis of the Curative Effect of Diffusion Tensor Imaging-Guided Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), a novel method of describing nerve structure, is a special form of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This new imaging method can be used to locate the diseased nerve roots in lumbar disc herniation.

The objective of this study is to compare patient outcomes between single-level and doublesection percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation with single nerve root compression, where single-sided PELD is guided by magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI).

The clinical data of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation with double compression of single nerve root symptoms in the Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University from January 2019 to May 2021 were retrospectively summarized and divided into single-level percutaneous endoscopic discectomy (PELD) group after DTI localization and double-section PELD group. The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, VAS score and JOA score of the two groups were compared, as well as the preoperative and postoperative fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the DTI group.

The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume of patients in the DTI group were significantly lower than those in the double segment group, and there was no significant difference between VAS scores and JOA scores in the two groups. After the operation, the nerve root FA value of the responsible compression site of patients in the DTI group increased significantly, but it was still lower than the healthy symmetrical part.

The single-level PELD based on DTI has achieved a similar effect to that of the doublesegment PELD in 3 months after the operation, which can improve the FA value of the lesion nerve root. Its bleeding amount is less, and the operation time is shorter, but the efficacy of this technology still requires long-term follow-up of large samples.