title: Combination of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Electrophysiological Studies in Lumbar Disc Herniation.
abstract: Objective We aimed to study the clinical value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electrophysiological studies in the diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation and in the evaluation of the therapeutic effect of discectomy. Methods In this study, 265 patients with LDH were treated with discectomy after assessment by the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, MRI, and electrophysiological studies. All the patients were followed-up for 6 years. The effects of the operation were assessed by determining the angle between the nerve root canal and disc protrusion (AN value), the stenotic ratio of the spinal canal, the width of the lateral recess, motor conduction velocity (MCV), sensory conduction velocity (SCV), and nerve action potential (NAP) before and after operation. Results The AN value, stenotic ratio of the spinal canal, and the width of the lateral recess of protruding intervertebral discs showed significant differences from these values for the patients' unaffected intervertebral discs (P < 0.05). The MCV, SCV, and NAP of the affected limb showed significant differences from these values for the patients' unaffected limbs (P < 0.05). In all the patients the values for these indicators showed significant differences before and after operation (P < 0.05). Conclusion MRI and electrophysiological studies can be used in the diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation, and in the evaluation of the effect of surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Wenxiang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.affiliation: Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People's Hospital, Urumchi, China.
authors.forename: Jichao
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, China. zhangwench88@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Wenchuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Pengfei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Visocchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Xinhua Hospital, 1665 Kongjiang Road, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Shi-Ting
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017586:Diskectomy; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Discectomy; Electrophysiological studies; Lumbar disc herniation; Magnetic resonance imaging