Can DITI Predict a Sequestered Lumbar Disc?.
- Author:
Choong Seon YOO
1
;
Byung Chan JEON
;
Sung Woo SEO
;
Hwa Dong LEE
;
Han Kyu KIM
;
Yong Soon HWANG
;
Jea Gon MOON
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Kosin Medical College, Pusan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Thermal difference;
Amputation sign;
Sequestered disc
- MeSH:
Amputation;
Diskectomy;
Extremities;
Humans;
Intervertebral Disc Chemolysis;
Intervertebral Disc Displacement;
Laminectomy;
Numismatics
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
1996;25(1):138-143
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness of digital infrared thermographic image(DITI) in patients with surgically treated lumbar disc disease. A series of 480 patients with lumbar herniated disc was studied. The mean age of the patients was 37 years, with a range of 18 to 64 years. Of which 126 cases of chemonucleolysis. 18 cases of percutaneous endoscopic laser discectomy, and 336 cases of laminectomy with discectomy were performed. Among these patients, 336 cases of laminectomy were assessed by DITI preoperatively. The thermal differences(delta T) between the symptomatic and asymptomatic limbs were evaluated. We have categorized the types of herniations into 3 classes: 200 protruded, 99 extruded, and 37 sequestered. The thermal differences were classified into 3 groups: 177 patients had delta T < 0.5 degrees C, 74 patients had 0.5 degrees C < or = delta T < 0.8 degrees C and 85 patients had delta T > or = 0.8 degrees C. Among the group of patients with the sequestered disc, 30(i.e. 80%) had delta T > or = 0.8 degrees C. Among the surgically treated 336 patients, non-visualization of a part of the sciatic limb on preoperative DITI was the condition used to coin the term amputation sign by the authors. In the sequestered group, the "amputation sign" was observed in 28 cases(75%). We conclude that DITI can predict a sequestered disc disease, and it allows more precise indication regarding open surgery.
