Correlative measurement of anterior margin of the anulus for surgical planning.
METHODS
This study was a retrospective anatomic correlation of intervertebral disc dimensions with current surgical guidelines.


OBJECTIVE
To develop safer guidelines for disc instrumentation.


BACKGROUND
Anterior perforation of the anulus fibrosus and injury to intra-abdominal structures is a known complication of lumbar discectomy. Coplanar magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar intervertebral discs could decrease the rate of complication using axial 11-weighted scans.


METHODS
Three measurements through the intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine were taken in 50 patients. These were correlated with current surgical guidelines for lumbar instrumentation.


RESULTS
Most of the measurements exceeded the current suggested guidelines for instrumentation at 3 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
Current guidelines for introduction of instruments into the lumbar disc spaces should be reevaluated. Appropriate measurements should be made on an individual basis.
Lewis
T S
TS
Department of Radiology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Lanzieri
C F
CF
Hardy
R W
RW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors