Evaluation of lumbar decompression with pre-operative and post-operative MR myelogram

Abstract

Magnetic resonance Myelography(MRM) is noninvasive technique that provide anatomical information about subarachnoid space. Objective of this study was to evaluate accuracy of MRM for demonstration of lumbar decompression and its correlation with clinical outcome. 53 patients of prolapsed disc were imaged with MRM postoperatively and evaluated with pre operative MRM and clinical leg pain relief. Diagnostic accuracy of these imagining strategies for lumbar decompression was calculated and correlated with clinical outcome. MRM when employed in routine practice is of limited value, assisting in establishing diagnosis in minority cases (6%). However, MRM adds only short time (8 seconds) to the overall examination and imaging study like this, which includes pre-operative and post-operative evaluation, is more evidence based and scientific. Routine imaging post-operative MRM cut is not expensive. Hence, post-operative MRM ,rather than whole MRI is highly recommended for patients of lumbar decompression and having postoperative persistent symptoms specifically leg pains.