J Korean Radiol Soc.  1990 Feb;26(1):32-40. 10.3348/jkrs.1990.26.1.32.

Sonographic evaluation of herniated lumbar disc

• Park YW
• Shim HJ
• Kim CH

• KMID: 2358971
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1990.26.1.32

Abstract

The content of the lumbar spinal canal can be seen sonograhically by anterior approach. An anterior epiduralfat is well imaged by sonogaraphy and is displaced posteriorly in case of herniated nucleus pulposus. A total of212 subjects were examined sonographically for the detection of herniated lumbar disc and compared with CT and /ormyelography in 123 patients. The study population included all men(soldiers) ranging from 18 to 23 years (mean 21years). The diagnosis of herniated lumbar disc by CT and /or myelography was made in 101 patients; of whom, 28bulging discs and 85 herniated nucleus pulposus (herniated disc at 2 levels in 12 patients) were evident. Thirtypatients of them underwent discectomy. Twenty two patients were diagnosed as normal by CT and /or myelography. In62 out of 85 herniated nucleus pulposus, sonographic diagnosis of herniated nucleus pulposus agreed with CT and/or myelographic examination. The most reliable sonographic findings were ; focal posterior displacement of ananterior epidural fat (N=62), change of the shape of the dural sac (N=60) and narrowing of obliteration of thelateral recess or neural foramen(N=44). Normal disc could not be differentiated from bulging disc by sonography.The results obtained by ultrasound, CT and /or myelography were well correlated in 67%. Sonographic examinationcan be useful, non-invasive and reliable procedure for the detection of the herniated lumbar disc.

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Diskectomy
Humans
Myelography
Spinal Canal
Ultrasonography*