Association between MRI findings and clinical outcomes in a period of 5 years after lumbar spine microdiscectomy.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the associations between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and pain, disability and quality of life before surgery and up to 5 years after lumbar microdiscectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-one patients who underwent one-level lumbar microdiscectomy by the same surgeon participated in this analytic, observational, prospective study. Lumbar spine MRI was performed preoperatively and 5 years postoperatively. Pain, disability and quality of life were measured with VAS, ODI, Roland Morris and SF-36 pre- and up to 5 years postoperatively. Subsequently associations between radiological findings and clinical outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Before surgery patients with disc extrusion or sequestration, with increased thecal sac compression (d > 2/3), with Modic changes (MC) 2 and 3 on the operated level and Pfirrmann grades IV and V on the operated and both adjacent discs presented the worst preoperative clinical outcomes. MC preoperatively were not related with postoperative results, in contrast with the type of disc herniation and thecal sac compression. Preoperative Pfirrmann grade IV and V on the operated and both adjacent discs and postoperative MC 2 and 3 on the operated level were related to poor clinical outcomes 36-60 months post-discectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Extrusion or sequestration of the operated disc, increased compression of thecal sac, MC 2 and 3 on the operated level and Pfirrmann grades IV and V on the operated and adjacent discs were associated with the worst clinical outcomes. Nerve root impingement, facet joint arthritis, perineural fibrosis and disc granulation tissue had no effect on clinical scores.

Postoperative MRI findings 5 years after lumbar microdiscectomy.

BACKGROUND: Lumbar microdiscectomy is a common procedure with satisfactory results; however, postoperative events like progressive adjacent level degeneration and perineural fibrosis can contribute to long-term pain. The purpose of the study was to evaluate MRI changes 5 years after lumbar microdiscectomy and assess their association with clinical parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study enrolling 61 patients who underwent microdiscectomy. Changes between preoperative and postoperative MRI findings were recorded, and these findings were tested for associations with demographic, clinical and perioperative parameters. The measured imaging parameters were degeneration of the operated and adjacent discs and endplates, morphology of the disc herniation, facet joints arthritis and the presence of postoperative perineural fibrosis. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between preoperative and postoperative morphology of the operated disc, facet joints arthritis and degeneration of the operated and caudal adjacent disc. There were no differences between preoperative and postoperative disc degeneration of the superior adjacent disc and in degeneration of the operated and adjacent endplates. Postoperatively perineural fibrosis was common; however, thecal sac compression and nerve root impingement were reduced. Age at the time of surgery was the only parameter associated with postoperative changes. CONCLUSION: Five years after microdiscectomy, several postoperative MRI changes including operated disc's morphology, facet joints arthritis and degeneration of the operated and caudal adjacent disc were shown. Taking into consideration that participants were on average middle-aged, these changes could be attributed not only to the impact of the surgery but also to the natural history of lumbar spine degeneration.

Clinical outcomes after lumbar spine microdiscectomy: a 5-year follow-up prospective study in 100 patients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effect of lumbar microdiscectomy (LM) in pain, disability and quality of life in a 5-year period and to identify potential demographic and clinical risk factors. METHODS: One hundred patients who underwent LM by the same surgeon participated in this prospective study. Clinical assessment was made with validated questionnaires preoperatively and up to 5 years postoperatively. Subsequently, associations between clinical outcomes and demographic data were recorded. RESULTS: In every assessment questionnaire, there was a significant improvement in the first postoperative month, which lasted up to 1 year post-discectomy. After that, improvement was statistically significant (p < 0.05) but without clinical importance. Women reported more pain preoperatively and 1 month after surgery. Urban residents also presented more pain preoperatively. Older patients had more pain, disability and worse quality of life 1-5 years postoperatively. Similarly, patients with lower education presented the worst scores in every questionnaire at the same time. Smokers reported less pain 1.5-4 postoperative years. Higher alcohol consumption and obesity were associated with lower levels of preoperative pain. However, obese patients had worse SF-36 and ODI scores after the 6th postoperative month. Patients with heavy jobs presented the worst preoperative ODI scores. CONCLUSION: Significant clinical improvement was recorded from the first postoperative month to the first postoperative year; stabilization was noticed later on. Feminine gender, urban residency, older age, low level of education, obesity and heavy physical occupation were negative prognostic factors. Oddly smoking and alcohol were correlated with less pain.

Posterior and anterior epidural and intradural migration of the sequestered intervertebral disc: Three cases and review of the literature.

Context: Dorsal migration of the sequestered lumbar intervertebral disc is an unusual and underrecognized pattern of lumbar disc herniation associated with pain and neurological deficit.Findings: Three patients presented with lower limb- and low back pain. MR imaging showed intracanalicular mass lesions with compression of the spinal cord and allowed precise localization of lesions in the extradural or intradural space. Diagnosis was straightforward for the patients with the posterior and anterior epidural disc fragments, whereas various differential diagnostic considerations were entertained for the patient with the intradural mass lesion. All patients underwent surgical removal of the sequestered disc fragments, and recovered full motosensory function. Surgical repair of the dura mater due to CSF leak was required for the patient with intradural disc herniation.Conclusion/clinical relevance: Posterior and anterior epidural, and intradural disc migration may manifest with clinical symptoms indistinguishable from those associated with non-sequestered lumbar disc hernias. Missed, migrated disc fragments can be implicated as a cause of low back pain, radiculopathy or cauda equina syndrome, especially in the absence of visible disc herniation. A high index of suspicion needs to be maintained in those cases with unexplained and persistent symptoms and/or no obvious disc herniation on MR images.