Changes in the Cross-Sectional Area of Multifidus and Psoas in Unilateral Sciatica Caused by Lumbar Disc Herniation.
10.3340/jkns.2011.50.3.201
- Author:
Wook Ha KIM
1
;
Sang Ho LEE
;
Dong Yeob LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, Korea. nsdrlee@naver.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Multifidus;
Psoas;
Cross-sectional area;
Lumbar disc herniation
- MeSH:
Demography;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Paraspinal Muscles*;
Psoas Muscles;
Radiculopathy;
Sciatica*
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
2011;50(3):201-204
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively evaluate the asymmetry of the multifidus and psoas muscles in unilateral sciatica caused by lumbar disc herniation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: Seventy-six patients who underwent open microdiscectomy for unilateral L5 radiculopathy caused by disc herniation at the L4-5 level were enrolled, of which 39 patients (51.3%) had a symptom duration of 1 month or less (group A), and 37 (48.7%) had a symptom duration of 3 months or more (group B). The cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the multifidus and psoas muscles were measured at the mid-portion of the L4-5 disc level on axial MRI, and compared between the diseased and normal sides in each group. RESULTS: The mean symptom duration was 0.6+/-0.4 months and 5.4+/-2.7 months for groups A and B, respectively (p<0.001). There were no differences in the demographics between the 2 groups. There was a significant difference in the CSA of the multifidus muscle between the diseased and normal sides (p<0.01) in group B. In contrast, no significant multifidus muscle asymmetry was found in group A. The CSA of the psoas muscle was not affected by disc herniation in either group. CONCLUSION: The CSA of the multifidus muscle was reduced by lumbar disc herniation when symptom duration was 3 months or more.
