Trends in Reconstructive Neurosurgery

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 discec- tomy 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 oper- ation 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 inter- vertebral discs showed significant differences from these val- ues for the patients’ unaffected intervertebral discs (P < 0.05). The MCV, SCV, and NAP of the affected limb showed signifi- cant differences from these values for the patients’ unaffected limbs (P < 0.05). In all the patients the values for these indica- tors 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. $Author