Classification, diagnostic imaging, and imaging characterization of a lumbar herniated disk.

The absence of universal nomenclature standardization with respect to the definition of a disk herniation and its different categories, especially regarding type and location, is still a major problem that will only be overcome when major national or international scientific societies join efforts to support a particular scheme. Meanwhile, it is important to realize that the two models that are currently most used are based on a different [figure: see text] perspective. Trying to straddle the two by opposing, for instance, bulging disk and herniation is doomed to failure because this exercise defies formal logic.

Effect of the learning process on procedure times and radiation exposure for CT fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous biopsy procedures.

Purpose: To assess if the learning process associated with computed tomography fluoroscopy (CTF) technology influences procedure and fluoroscopy times for percutaneous biopsy procedures.

Materials And Methods: Prospective analysis of the initial 250 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous biopsy with use of a CT scanner equipped with rapid image reconstruction and fluoroscopic capabilities in a 24-month period. All procedures were performed with both continuous and spot fluoroscopic technique, with typical radiation parameters of 50 mA, 120 kV, and a 10-mm-slice thickness.

Value of CT fluoroscopy for percutaneous biopsy procedures.

Purpose: To assess the clinical impact of computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy (CTF) with regard to procedure time and success rate for CT image-guided biopsy procedures.

Materials And Methods: One hundred ninety consecutive patients referred to the same radiologist underwent biopsy procedures performed with use of a CT scanner equipped with fluoroscopic capabilities during a 15-month period. CTF procedures were performed predominantly by means of a continuous fluoroscopic technique, with typical exposure factors of 50 mA at 120 kV and a slice thickness of 10 mm.

Differentiating lumbar disc protrusions, disc bulges, and discs with normal contour but abnormal signal intensity. Magnetic resonance imaging with discographic correlations.

Study Design: Independent evaluation by two observers of 132 lumbar discs in 45 patients with chronic low back pain investigated by both magnetic resonance imaging and discography.

Objectives: To assess some of the fundamental differences between lumbar disc protrusions, disc bulges, and discs with normal contour but abnormal signal intensity on T2-weighted magnetic resonance images.

Summary Of Background Data: Moderate interobserver agreement has been reported when the morphologic terms normal, bulge, protrusion, and extrusion are used.

Increased blood manganese in cirrhotic patients: relationship to pallidal magnetic resonance signal hyperintensity and neurological symptoms.

Increasing evidence suggests that manganese deposition is responsible for the T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal hyperintensity consistently observed in pallidum of cirrhotic patients. However, the relationship between blood manganese and the etiology or severity of liver disease, as well as the neurological symptomatology in these patients, has not been well established. In the present study, blood manganese concentrations were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry together with MRI and neurological evaluation in 57 cirrhotic patients with various etiologies and severity of liver disease.

Clinical impact of contrast-enhanced MR imaging reports in patients with previous lumbar disk surgery.

Objective: We wanted to assess the clinical impact of the reports of contrast-enhanced MR imaging on the decision to repeat surgery and on the results of repeat surgery in patients with previous lumbar disk surgery.

Subjects And Methods: We interviewed 257 patients who had undergone lumbar disk surgery and who showed symptoms suggesting persistent or new disk herniation. We conducted our interviews 6-18 months after patients had undergone contrast-enhanced MR imaging.

Radiating pain to the lower extremities caused by lumbar disk rupture without spinal nerve root involvement.

Purpose: To locate the origin of the pain during lumbar diskography by means of a limited intradiskal injection of a local anesthetic.

Methods: Lumbar diskography by the direct central posterior approach was performed in 235 consecutive patients. In 17 patients, severe and persistent low back pain, with unilateral or bilateral radiation to the lower extremities, was provoked by contrast injection into only one disk.

[A simplified terminology for abnormalities of the lumbar disks].

The terminology for abnormalities of the lumbar disk has always been a source of confusion. Recent advances in pathological studies have inspired the authors to propose a simple classification of common disk anomalies suitable not only for diagnostic radiologists but also for referring clinicians. Although the diagnosis of a few pathological entities will only be possible with specific imaging techniques, the proposed classification is appropriate for reporting observations from plain films, conventional tomograms, myelograms, discograms, computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance images.

You drive me crazy: a case report of acute psychosis and neurocysticercosis.

Cysticercosis is a parasitic disease endemic in several developing countries where people consume raw or insufficiently cooked pork. The authors present a clinical picture of an organic psychosis in a 24 year old female with CNS cysticercosis. The neuroradiologic follow-up of this patient pre and post treatment with praziquantel is presented.

A simplified terminology for abnormalities of the lumbar disk.

The terminology for abnormalities of the lumbar disk has always been a source of confusion. Recent advances in pathological studies have inspired the authors to propose a simple classification of common disk anomalies suitable not only for diagnostic radiologists but also for referring clinicians. Although the diagnosis of a few pathological entities will only be possible with specific imaging techniques, the proposed classification is appropriate for reporting observations from plain films, conventional tomograms, myelograms, diskograms, computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance images.

Comparison of high-resolution computed tomography with discography in the evaluation of lumbar disc herniations.

After failure of conservative treatment, 100 patients with symptoms suggestive of lumbar herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) but without objective deficits were investigated both by high-resolution CT (without intravenous or intrathecal contrast) and by discography. The L4-L5 and L5-S1 discs were investigated by both techniques in all patients. In addition, the L3-L4 disc was investigated in 20 patients.

Spinal cerebrospinal fluid leak demonstrated by radioisotopic cisternography.

Many conditions are known to cause a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula; one of them is lumbar puncture for contrast myelography. Reported here is the case of a man who underwent contrast myelography at the L2-L3 level and who presented with postural headaches and lumbalgia with radiation to the legs three weeks after the procedure. Tc-99m albumin isotopic cisternography at the L5-S1 level was performed and clearly depicted a functional CSF leak through the dura at the L2-L3 level and CSF suffusion along several rachidian roots.