Abstract

To quantitatively evaluate interval magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changes in disc morphology following plasma-mediated percutaneous discectomy.A retrospective comparison of pretreatment and posttreatment MRIs at a single university spine clinic.From a group of 60 consecutively treated patients, 15 met the study inclusion and exclusion criteria. All had either failed treatment or had other clinical reasons for a posttreatment MRI.Two independent physicians electronically measured disc protrusion size and disc height at the treatment discs and adjacent discs on pre- and posttreatment MRI scans. Additionally, images were compared for gross anatomic changes including disc degeneration by Pfirrman classification, new disc herniations, high intensity zone (HIZ), vertebral endplate changes, post-contrast enhancement, and changes in segmental alignment. Pearson r correlation was used to determine interobserver reliability between the two physicians' MRI measurements. Paired t-tests were calculated for comparisons of pre- and posttreatment MRI measurements, and an ANOVA was performed for comparison of pre- to posttreatment changes in disc height measurements at treatment levels relative to adjacent levels.Correlation was high for measurement of disc height change (r?=?0.89; P?

View details for DOI 10.1111/pme.12525

View details for Web of Science ID 000344244800005