[Magnetic resonance imaging versus DR for whole spine imaging in patients with degenerative spinal disease].

Objective: To assess the quality of whole spine images obtained by DR and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analyze the whole spinal imaging sagittal parameters for standing DR and supine MRI.

Methods: Sixty-one patients aged 49.9∓17.

Establishing a disc degeneration model using computed tomography-guided percutaneous puncture technique in the rabbit.

Background: Various animal models have been developed to investigate the complex mechanisms leading to intervertebral disc disorders and to evaluate the different therapeutic options. The needle puncture technique is commonly used to induce intervertebral degeneration in animal models. The present study aimed to establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration using a simple, minimally invasive procedure.

[Establishment of a rabbit model of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration via the paraspinal approach].

Objective: To establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration by puncturing the anulus fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and obliquus externus abdominis.

Methods: The L(4/5) and L(5/6) intervetebral discs of 6 New Zealand white rabbits were punctured by an 18-gauge pin in the anterolateral annular fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and the obliquus externus abdominis with the right transverse processes of L(5) and L(6) resected; the L(2/3) discs were used as the control without exposure or needle stab, and the L(3/4) discs were subjected to sham operation with the discs exposed but not punctured after resecting the right transverse process of L(4). X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed preoperatively and at the 4th week after puncture.