Table 2.
Evaluation of postsurgery MRI or CT findings (N = 288)a.
| Radiological findings of MRI/CT scans | |
| Herniation of nucleus pulposus | 223 (77%) |
| Spinal stenosis | 53 (18%) |
| Epidural fibrosis | 7 (2%) |
| Spondylolisthesis | 7 (2%) |
| Vertebral fracture | 3 (1%) |
| Otherb | 10 (3%) |
| Operated disc levels | |
| L1/2 | 6 (2%) |
| L2/3 | 10 (3%) |
| L3/4 | 40 (14%) |
| L4/5 | 169 (58%) |
| L5/S1 | 96 (33%) |
| Types of surgery | |
| Laminectomy | 206 (72%) |
| Fusion | 28 (9%) |
| Otherc | 13 (5%) |
| Recurrence at operated disc level | |
| Same level, ipsilateral side | 95 (33%) |
| Same level, contralateral side | 30 (10%) |
| Different level | 98 (34%) |
| Undefinedd | 65 (23%) |
aPatients whose MRI/CT scan readings were interpreted by radiologists at the study site. Duplication was allowed in all records except relapse with regard to site of surgery. Due to inability to radiologically identify any evident sign of surgery, the surgical area and types of surgery were excluded in 52 patients.
bFacet arthrosis, retrolisthesis, spondylitis, and tumors.
cVertebroplasty, disc replacement, and facetectomy.
dCases of pain where no definite relation could be identified between pain and intervertebral disc and cases where the site of surgery could not be identified radiologically.