Correlation analysis between degenerative spondylolisthesis and T2WI hyperintensity on MRI of interspinous ligament / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the relationship between lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis and T2WI high signal in the interspinous ligament in MRI in order to improve the understanding of the signal changes of the interspinous ligament.@*METHODS@#The clinical data of 43 patients with clinically diagnosed lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis were collected from March 2018 to March 2020, there were 19 males and 24 females, aged 50 to 92 years with an average of 69 years old. Using picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) to access images and record the distribution and incidence of T2WI high signal in the interspinous ligament between the slipped and non-slipped segments. Using Spearman correlation analysis to explore the relationshipbetween the T2WI high signal of the interspinous ligament and the degree of lumbar spondylolisthesis.@*RESULTS@#Except for 8 ligaments that were not included in the statistical results due to poor image quality, 43 patients with a total of 207 lumbar vertebrae and interspinous ligaments were included in the study. According to the Meyerding classification method, 43 patients had a total of 48 segments with spondylolisthesis, 41 segments in grade Ⅰ and 7 segments in grade Ⅱ. There were 30 cases of MRI T2WI high signal in the interspinous ligament corresponding to spondylolisthesis segment, including 3 cases on L@*CONCLUSION@#In patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, the MRI T2WI hyperintensity is more common in the interspinous ligament. The occurrence of T2WI high signal is positively correlated with the degree of spondylolisthesis, which should be payed enough attention in imaging diagnosis.

A Morphometric Study of the Lumbar Interspinous Space in 100 Stanford University Medical Center Patients

OBJECTIVE: With the increased use of interspinous spacers in the treatment of lumbar stenosis, knowledge of the geometry of the interspinous space is important. To prevent dislodgment of an interspinous spacer, the accurate depth and width of the interspinous space needs to be established to facilitate the best intraoperative selection of correct spacer size. METHODS: To determine the depth and width of the interspinous space, two methods are available which utilize plain film and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Data analysis of the interspinous depth and width was undertaken in 100 patients. RESULTS: The standard deviations were variable, since skin thickness (zone 1) was altered by sex and age. The difference in the zone 1 distance between adjacent interspinous processes varied according to gender (p0.05). For zones 6 and 7, the interspinous distances at the narrowest and widest points, respectively, were found to decrease with the aging process, but the decrease was not statistically significant. There were no differences with regard to gender (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study provides additional information on the interspinous space. This statistical data are valuable for use in the design of interspinous spacers.

The Classification of Lumbar Interspinous Ligament in Relation to Herniated Intervertebral Disc and Spinal Degeneration of Korean

OBJECTIVE: To classify the findings of magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar interspinous ligaments in relation to the lumbar disc herniation, disc degeneration, and lordosis. METHOD: The subjects were 45 herniated intervertebral disc(HIVD) patients and 35 normal subjects on MRI finding. The magnetic resonance features of the interspinous ligament were classified into five categories according to their signal intensities: type 1A (low intensity on T1- and T2- weighted images without hypertrophy of spinal process); type 1B (same signal pattern as in type 1A with hypertrophy of spinal process); type 2 (low intensity on T1- and high intensity on T2-weighted images); type 3 (high intensity on T1-weighted images); type 4 (others). RESULTS: The most common type in both HIVD patients and normal subjects was type 3. The mean age and disc degeneration grade of the type 1B ligaments were significantly higher. Lordosis of type 1B of L5-S1 interspinous ligament was increased with significant difference. CONCLUSION: The classification of the MRI findings of interspinous types didn't show statistical difference between HIVD patients and normal subjects, but was helpful in assessing the degree of the degeneration of the intervertebral disc and age.