Interobserver agreement using computed tomography to assess radiographic fusion criteria with a unique titanium interbody device.

The accuracy of using computed tomography (CT) to assess interbody fusion in patients with titanium implants has been questioned in the past. Radiologists have reported difficulty assessing fusion bone quality because of metal artifact and small graft windows. A new titanium interbody implant with a large footprint and a wide graft aperture has been developed.

Magnetic resonance imaging predictors of surgical outcome in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort design.

Objective: To determine whether baseline magnetic resonance imaging findings, including central/foraminal stenosis, Modic change, disc morphology, facet arthropathy, disc degeneration, nerve root impingement, and thecal sac compression, are associated with differential surgical treatment effect.

Summary Of Background Data: Intervertebral disc herniation remains the most common source of lumbar radiculopathy treated either with discectomy or nonoperative intervention.

Lumbar spine: reliability of MR imaging findings.

Purpose: To characterize the inter- and intraobserver variability of qualitative, non-disk contour degenerative findings of the lumbar spine at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Materials And Methods: The case accrual method used to perform this institutional review board-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective study was the random selection of 111 interpretable MR examination cases of subjects from the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial. The subjects were aged 18-87 years (mean, 53 years +/- 16 [standard deviation]).

Reliability of readings of magnetic resonance imaging features of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Study Design: A reliability assessment of standardized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interpretations and measurements.

Objective: To determine the intra- and inter-reader reliability of MRI features of lumbar spinal stenosis (SPS), including severity of central, subarticular, and foraminal stenoses, grading of nerve root impingement, and measurements of cross-sectional area of the spinal canal and thecal sac.

Summary Of Background Data: MRI is commonly used to assess patients with spinal stenosis.

Accuracy of MRI for diagnosis of discogenic pain.

Background: Previous studies have compared MRI parameters to the results from discography. However, none have evaluated the overall diagnostic performance of MRI, taking into account that many MRI characteristics may be correlated.

Objective: Determine the accuracy of MRI for diagnosis of discogenic pain, taking into consideration the interdependence of MRI parameters.

Reliability of magnetic resonance imaging readings for lumbar disc herniation in the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT).

Study Design: Assessment of the reliability of standardized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) interpretations and measurements.

Objective: To determine the intra- and inter-reader reliability of MRI parameters relevant to patients with intervertebral disc herniation (IDH), including disc morphology classification, degree of thecal sac compromise, grading of nerve root impingement, and measurements of cross-sectional area of the spinal canal, thecal sac, and disc fragment.

Summary Of Background Data: MRI is increasingly used to assess patients with sciatica and IDH, but the relationship between specific imaging characteristics and patient outcomes remains uncertain.