Can DITI Predict a Sequestered Lumbar Disc?

The purpose of this study is to assess the usefulness of digital infrared thermographic image(DITI) in patients with surgically treated lumbar disc disease. A series of 480 patients with lumbar herniated disc was studied. The mean age of the patients was 37 years, with a range of 18 to 64 years. Of which 126 cases of chemonucleolysis. 18 cases of percutaneous endoscopic laser discectomy, and 336 cases of laminectomy with discectomy were performed. Among these patients, 336 cases of laminectomy were assessed by DITI preoperatively. The thermal differences(delta T) between the symptomatic and asymptomatic limbs were evaluated. We have categorized the types of herniations into 3 classes: 200 protruded, 99 extruded, and 37 sequestered. The thermal differences were classified into 3 groups: 177 patients had delta T or = 0.8 degrees C. Among the group of patients with the sequestered disc, 30(i.e. 80%) had delta T > or = 0.8 degrees C. Among the surgically treated 336 patients, non-visualization of a part of the sciatic limb on preoperative DITI was the condition used to coin the term amputation sign by the authors. In the sequestered group, the "amputation sign" was observed in 28 cases(75%). We conclude that DITI can predict a sequestered disc disease, and it allows more precise indication regarding open surgery.

99m Tc HMPAO Brain SPECT in Patients with Diffuse Axonal Injury

This study was performed in order to compare the functional imaging by 99m Tc-HMPAO brain SPECT with structural neuroimaging by CT or MRI. Eighteen patients with diffuse axonal injury underwent HMPAO brain SPECT(18), CT(9) and MR(14), and neurological status were then evaluated. Seventeen patients(94%) were revealed abnormal SPECT whereas nine patients(50%) demonstrated abnormal CT compared with ten patients(71%) demonstrated abnormal MRI. The neurololgical deficits correlated well with abnormal SPECT lesion except in one case. It is therefore concluded that brain perfusion SPECT is not only more sensitive than CT or MRI, it is also more cost effective and clinically well correlated in diffuse axonal injury patient.