[Value of multiplanar reconstruction of lumbar nerve roots on the same level by high resolution computed tomography in diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation and/or bulge].
OBJECTIVE
To explore value of multiplanar reconstruction of lumbar nerve roots on the same level by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation and/or bulge (LDHB).


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with manifestations of typical nerve root compression, such as lumbago and tenderness of percussion pain at the corresponding sites were scanned with 16-slice spiral CT and multiplanar reconstruction of lumbar nerve roots on the same level with the workshop ADW4.150, and were diagnosed as with LDHB with 50 segments. The diagnoses were confirmed by operation later.


RESULTS
This technique showed not only the existence of LDHB but also the signs of nerve root compression, including the touch of nerve roots with the LDHB (100%), translocation of nerve roots (96%), morphological change (94%), changes of diameter (92%), changes of direction (88%), changes of density (80%), increase of the angle between the dural sac and nerve root (76%), etc. Along with the prolonging of time, the nerve roots became thinner in all segments.


CONCLUSIONS
Multiplanar reconstruction of lumbar nerve roots on the same level by high resolution computed tomography is valuable in the diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation and/or bulge.
Lin
Jing-fu
JF
Department of Medical Imaging, Navy General Hospital, PLA, Beijing 100037, China. Lsh520gy@yahoo.com.cn
Liang
Ying-kui
YK
Zhang
Yan-qun
YQ
Jiang
Li
L
Zhao
Shu-chen
SC
Li
Xiao-juan
XJ
Song
Zhi-dan
ZD
Ge
He-quan
HQ
Wang
Jian-he
JH
Wang
Zhan-yu
ZY
Zuo
Yong-jun
YJ
Zheng
Kui-hong
KH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*