Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2014, Vol. 18 ›› Issue (22): 3574-3580.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.22.022

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Imaging evaluation for lumbar spinal instability: qualitative features and location of anatomy and function

Nitin Tandra1, Zhu Xiao2   

  1. 1Second Ward, Department of Orthopedics, Jiangbin Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, Jiangsu Province, China; 2Clinical Medical College, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Revised:2014-04-08 Online:2014-05-28 Published:2014-05-28
  • Contact: Zhu Xiao, M.D., Clinical Medical College, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, Jiangsu Province, China
  • About author:Nitin Tandra, Master, Second Ward, Department of Orthopedics, Jiangbin Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, Jiangsu Province, China Zhu Xiao, M.D., Clinical Medical College, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212000, Jiangsu Province, China Nitin Tandra and Zhu Xiao contributed equally to this article.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Spinal instability, lacks of precise definition, is still a controversial concept due to lack of regular clinical experience or radiological evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To review the definition of lumbar spinal instability (especially degenerative lumbar spinal instability) and the imaging methods of diagnosing lumbar spinal instability.
METHODS: We retrieved SLIDE SHARE, MEDLIND and NCBI database for literatures published in recent 30 years. Key words were “lumbar instability, traction spurs, ligament, disc space narrowing” in English. Finally 49 literatures were included.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Lumbar spinal instability possibly was a reason for low back pain and sciatica, and was a key condition for spinal fusion and decompression. Clinical symptoms and physical signs of lumbar spinal instability did not have specificity, so effective diagnosis and treatment for this disease are controversial. Functional lateral plain films are extensive important method to diagnose lumbar spinal instability. CT provides more exact images for spinal degeneration and intervertebral joint direction. Magnetic resonance is generally considered to be the most precise method for the diagnosis of degenerative changes in the spine, and has been widely applied to diagnose chronic low back pain besides vacuum phenomenon.


中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点:人工关节;骨植入物;脊柱骨折;内固定;数字化骨科;组织工程


全文链接:

Key words: lumbar vertebrae, intervertebral disk, tomography, X-ray computed, magnetic resonance imaging

CLC Number: