Contrast-enhanced MR imaging in acute lumbar radiculopathy: a pilot study of the natural history.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively study clinical findings and contrast material-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) images over time in patients with acute lumbar radiculopathy.


METHODS
Twenty-five patients underwent physical examination and MR imaging at presentation, 6 weeks, and 6 months. Initial symptoms and clinical course were correlated with type, size, location, and enhancement of disk herniations.


RESULTS
Eighteen patients had a herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) at one or more levels, two had synovial cysts and stenosis, and five had normal findings. Patients with an HNP had marginally more severe neurologic symptoms than did patients without an HNP (P = .07) at presentation. Twenty-two patients completed the 6-week examinations and 14 patients the 6-month examinations; three patients were eliminated from the study after surgical treatment. Among HNPs larger than 6 mm, substantial reduction in size was noted in 36% at 6 weeks and in more than 60% at 6 months after presentation.


CONCLUSIONS
Agreement between clinical and MR findings for level and side of HNP and radicular symptoms was excellent. There was no correlation of pain and disability with disk size, behavior, or type.
Modic
M T
MT
Division of Radiology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA.
Ross
J S
JS
Obuchowski
N A
NA
Browning
K H
KH
Cianflocco
A J
AJ
Mazanec
D J
DJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D004369:Pentetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012585:Sciatica / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
D003287:Contrast Media; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA