title: Computed tomography diagnostic of the intervertebral disc degeneration and degenerative changes of the lumbo-sacral spine.
abstract: Background. The aim of the work is problem of computed tomography diagnostic of the intervertebral disc degeneration and degenerative changes of the lumbo-sacral spine.<br /> Authors present result of computed tomography examinations performed in 60 patients at the age from 18 to 69 years, suffering from chronic low back pain for 6 months at least. <br /> Material and methods. Degenerative changes of the vertebra-disc junction on the levels of L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 were evaluated. The analysis of intervertebral disc changes and osteophytes presence on all of the investigated levels was chose as the assessment criterion. <br /> Results. The pathological changes of the vertebra-disc junction on L5-S1, L4-L5 and L3-L4 levels were stated in 58 (96.6%), 55 (91.6%) and 47 (78.8%) patients, whereas the degeneration of the intervertebral disc was diagnosed in 50, 45 and 15 cases, respectively. Moreover, the vacuum phenomenon was present in connection with the degeneration of the intervertebral disc on L5-S1, L5-L4, L3-L4 levels in 29, 11 and 1 cases, respectively. The osteophytes' presence, as a single proof of the degenerative changes was diagnosed in 8 patients on L5-S1 level, whereas on L4-L5 level in 10 patients. In 32 cases osteophytes were localised on L3-L4 level.<br /> Conclusions. In conclusion, the differences in morphology of the pathological changes are the result of different loading and various mechanisms generating these changes on particular levels.
authors.affiliation: II Zakład Radiologii Lekarskiej Akademii Medycznej im. Prof. Feliksa Subiszewskiego, Lublin.
authors.forename: Witold
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Krupski
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Majcher
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tatara
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fatyga