Search PubMed⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 2343133

Disk fragment migration.

D Schellinger·H J Manz·B Vidic·N J Patronas·J P Deveikis·A S Muraki·D C Abdullah
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

This report analyzes the most frequently observed migration paths of disk fragments in 47 patients who had extruded or sequestered disks. Observations are based principally on magnetic resonance (MR) images. When disk fragments moved in a superior (42%) or inferior (40%) direction from the donor disk, the displaced disk components were most frequently (94%) dislodged into the right or left half of the anterior epidural space (AES) and rarely straddled the midline. To explain this phenomenon, the authors investigated the anatomy of the AES by dissecting four cadaver specimens and reviewing 300 MR images of the spine. They conclude that the migrating path of a disk fragment is determined by the anatomy of the AES, a fairly well-defined space delimited posteriorly by the posterior longitudinal ligament and by membranes laterally attached to it. It consists of two compartments separated by a sagitally aligned septum. During migration, sequestered disk fragments usually stay in these compartments.

Explore related subjects

Cervical VertebraeEpidural SpaceHumansIntervertebral DiscIntervertebral Disc DisplacementLumbar VertebraeRadiographySpinal CanalJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

D Schellinger, H J Manz, B Vidic, N J Patronas, J P Deveikis, A S Muraki, D C Abdullah. 1990. Disk fragment migration.. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.175.3.2343133

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed1997

The cross-sectional area of the cervical spinal canal in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Correlation of preoperative and postoperative area with clinical symptoms.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of routine computed tomography investigations. OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the extent of clinical symptoms in patients undergoing surgery for cervical spinal myelopathy depends on the transsectional area of the cervical spinal canal. METHODS: Forty-five patients underwent surgery using different techniques to enlarge the width of the spinal canal. For clinical evaluation before and after surgery, a modified score of the Japanese Orthopedic Association was used (mean follow-up period, 19.6, 9.1 months). The cross-sectional area of the spinal canal in computed tomography scans (C4-C6) was quantified 1 day before and 1 week after surgery using pixel-dependent area calculation software for three different density ranges given in Hounsfield units. RESULTS: After surgery, a significant enlargement of the cervical spinal canal of 78.2 +/- 55.9% could be achieved. The Japanese Orthopedic Association score increased significantly by 3.7 +/- 2.2 points from a median preoperative score of 10 to a score of 14 after surgery. Patients with a preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association score > or = 10 achieved a significantly better outcome after surgery. Conversely, no patient with a postoperative area larger than 1.6 cm2 achieved a score of less than 12 Japanese Orthopedic Association-points. No significant linear correlation, however, was found between the postoperative transsectional area and the postoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association score of all patients. CONCLUSION: The preoperative clinical presentation of the patient was found to be the only prognostic hint for improvement after surgery. Preoperative area measurements of the spinal canal cannot be used as a prognostic tool for surgical outcome. Further, the postoperative measurements do not correlate with the clinical outcome. These data, however, which refer to C4 to C6, provide evidence that every surgical procedure to enlarge the cervical spinal canal should result in an area of 1.6 cm or more.

Cervical Vertebrae↗
PubMed1997

Cervical ribs in fetuses with Ullrich-Turner syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the cervical skeleton in fetuses with Ullrich-Turner syndrome (45,X) in a search for skeletal characteristics in the neck region affected by hygroma. In connection with requested autopsies, 9 second trimester human fetuses were investigated radiographically by whole-body and special radiography of the spine. The presence of unilateral or bilateral cervical ribs was a constant finding which seems applicable as a phenotypic characteristic of Ullrich-Turner syndrome. This study may also be important in the diagnosis of newborn infants with Ullrich-Turner syndrome.

Cervical Vertebrae↗