The clinical value of 3-T magnetic resonance myelography in far lateral disk herniation

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study of 30 patients suspected of suffering from far lateral lumbar disk herniation. OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic and clinical value of a new technique 3-T magnetic resonance myelography (MRM) in patients with far lateral disk herniation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: No studies have reported regarding the usefulness of MRM images in assessing far lateral disk nor correlated it with clinical outcomes. METHODS: We evaluated 3-T MRM of 30 patients, whom we suspected of suffering from far lateral disk herniation. Using an assessment scale, 5 observers independently examined the images. We analyzed observer agreement and the accentuation of each image. RESULTS: We found complete match and observer agreement for 3-T MRM for diagnosing far lateral disk herniation. Furthermore, 3-T MRM revealed the disease's severity on the basis of the nerve root exit zone angle differences. CONCLUSIONS: MRM is an appropriate diagnostic tool and reduces the chance of misdiagnosis in far lateral disk herniation. Furthermore, through the use of this technique, we can evaluate postoperative clinical outcomes.