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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2022; 83(01): 013-019
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1725953
Original Article

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings and Clinical Outcomes in the Early Postoperative Period after Full Endoscopic Diskectomy for Lumbar Disk Herniation

Tomoya Terai
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokushima Prefecture Naruto Hospital, Naruto, Tokushima, Japan
,
Takashi Chikawa
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokushima Prefecture Naruto Hospital, Naruto, Tokushima, Japan
,
Tatsuhiko Henmi
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokushima Prefecture Naruto Hospital, Naruto, Tokushima, Japan
,
Koichi Sairyo
2   Department of Orthopedics, Tokushima University, Tokushima, Japan
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Abstract

Introduction This prospective case-control study aimed to establish the normal spectrum of early magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in patients whose symptoms resolve after full endoscopic diskectomy (FED). We examined the changes in postoperative MRI findings and their relation to early clinical symptoms.

Methods In total, 33 patients underwent FED under local anesthesia. Clinical assessments and MRI examinations were performed preoperatively and immediately (within 1 week) and late (at 3 and 12 months) postoperatively. Residual disk bulging after surgery was classified into four grades compared with preoperative MRI findings: none (grade A), <25% (grade B), 25–75% (grade C), and >75% (grade D).

Results MRI at postoperative week 1 showed grade B residual disk bulging in 9 patients, grade C residual disk bulging in 8 patients, and grade D residual disk bulging in 16 patients. Improvement was seen at postoperative month 3 (grade A in 18 patients, grade B in 10 patients, and grade C in 5 patients) and at postoperative month 12 (grade A in 29 patients, grade B in 3 patients, and grade C in 1 patient). Visual analog scale scores and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores showed significant differences at 1 week, 3 months, and 12 months after surgery.

Conclusion Postoperative MRI findings within 1 week of FED showed grade C or D residual disk material in 24 of 33 patients (73%). Clinical symptoms improved in the early postoperative period, even though residual disk bulging was present. Persisting residual bulging in the early stage following surgery may not correlate with clinical symptoms.

Keywords

full endoscopic diskectomy - magnetic resonance imaging - lumbar disk herniation - low back pain - early clinical features


Publication History

Received: 02 July 2020

Accepted: 09 November 2020

Article published online:
24 May 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
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