J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2013 Jul;54(1):30-33. 10.3340/jkns.2013.54.1.30.

Usefulness of Three Dimensional Proset MR Images for Diagnosis of Symptomatic L5-S1 Foraminal and Extraforaminal Stenosis

• Kim SW
• Kim CH
• Kim MS
• Jung YJ
• Byun WM

• KMID: 2190854
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2013.54.1.30

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To suggest a new useful diagnostic technique, principles of the selective excitation technique-magnetic resonance images (Proset-MRI), and to know the precise radiologic findings that can prove symptomatic foraminal and extraforaminal stenosis at L5-S1.
METHODS
Nineteen patients with symptomatic L5-S1 stenosis were checked by Proset-MRI. Four patients were performed decompressive surgery and 15 patients were performed selective nerve root block (SNRB) at L5. The pain scale of patients was checked by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores at the pre- and post-treatment state.
RESULTS
Proset-MRI findings of patients with symptomatic stenosis are root swelling (RS) and indentation. The comparisons with VAS scores had a meaningful statistical result at each RS (p<0.01) and indentation (p<0.01). However, the findings of RS combined with indentation lacked statistical significance (p=0.0249). In addition, according to a comparison with the treatment modalities, reducing of VAS scores had statistical meaningful significance in decompressive surgery cases (p<0.01), and also in SNRB cases (p<0.01) after a 3-month follow-up period.
CONCLUSION
The three dimensional Proset-MRI is very useful and sensitive technique to diagnose the symptomatic foraminal and extraforaminal stenosis at L5-S1.

Keyword

Proset-MRI; Foraminal and extraforaminal stenosis; Nerve root swelling; Indentation

MeSH Terms

Constriction, Pathologic
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The right L5 nerve root swelling (arrow) at Proset-MRI. A : Coronal Proset-MRI. B : Three-dimensional Proset-MRI. Proset-MRI : principles of the selective excitation technique-magnetic resonance images.

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  Fig. 2 The left L5 nerve root indentation (arrow) at Proset-MRI. A : Coronal Proset-MRI. B : Three-dimensional Proset-MRI. C : Not fully reducing of indentation at postoperative one-month follow-up Proset-MRI. Proset-MRI : principles of the selective excitation technique-magnetic resonance images.

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