title: Magnetic resonance imaging of the postoperative intervertebral disk: the first eight months--clinical and legal implications.
abstract: Ten patients were followed prospectively after lumbar discectomy, both clinically and with MR imaging, from 2 days to 8 months. The usefulness of MR imaging is limited during the first 2-3 months postsurgery because of severe disruption of the intraspinal anatomic definition. Thus, abnormal MRI findings during this initial period do not correlate with the clinical symptom-free state of patients postsurgery. The use of MR imaging in symptomatic patients is therefore limited.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Balagura
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Neumann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000473:pathology; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology*; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012447:Sacrum / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology