[The diagnosis and treatment of lumbar internal disc disruption].
OBJECTIVE
To study the diagnosis and treatment of lumbar internal disc disruption (IDD).


METHODS
Thirty-six patients with chronic disabling low back pain proved by discography as IDD were treated with disc excision and lumbar interbody fusion, and 8 cases were treated with PLIF, 28 with ALIF. The clinical results were evaluated by pre- and post-operative VAS, and the fusion results were evaluated by X-ray studies of the lumbosacral spine.


RESULTS
The average period of follow-up was 18 months, ranging from 6 to 26 months. Six patients treated with PLIF basically disappeared low back pain, 2 complained of mild back pain; the VAS after operation was decreased significantly in comparison with that of pre-operation (P < 0.01). Twenty-seven treated with ALIF basically disappeared low back pain; the VAS after operation was decreased significantly in comparison with that of pre-operation (P < 0.01). Fusion rate was 88% in patients who were treated with PLIF, and 97% in patients with ALIF.


CONCLUSIONS
Disc excision and interbody fusion is an effective method for the treatment of IDD, but the operation indications should be known well.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult