[Magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of soft cervical disk hernia. Evaluation report on 20 cases previously examined by x-ray computed tomography].
Twenty successive patients were examined using CT scanning followed by M.R.I. Thirteen were subsequently operated upon. The results are reported in detail, specifying which signals were used to make the diagnosis of cervical disc prolapse. Short sequences were used for degeneration in the herniated disc, disc protrusion into the spinal canal and compression of the spinal cord. Long sequences were used for indentations or blocks in the cerebro-spinal fluid column at the level of the disc prolapse. Ordinary disc degenerations and associated stenoses are also shown. The reliability of the method was established by comparison with radiographs and surgical findings which were shown to be positive in all the 13 cases treated surgically. The report discusses the difficulties and current limitations of magnetic resonance imaging such as the scarcity of machines, the supine position, the length of the examination, the mediocre quality of horizontal axial sections and difficulties in transmitting magnetic resonance information. There is expected to be rapid and decisive progress with the use of rapid imaging, the preferential choice of sequences, the use of scout views and closer collaboration between radiologist and clinician. A final section is devoted to a discussion of the relative merits of CT scanning and M.R.I. The latter has the advantage of providing total three-dimensional information, particularly in the sagittal plane with a better appreciation of the relationship between container and contents and a method which is strictly non-invasive with the use neither of contrast medium nor X-rays. The authors conclude that M.R.I. provides a positive contribution to the diagnosis of cervical disc protrusions and that this technique can, from now onwards, be considered the examination of choice.
D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
L'imagerie par résonance magnétique (I.R.M.) dans le diagnostic des hernies discales cervicales molles. Rapport d'évaluation sur 20 cas préalablement examinés en tomodensitométrie.