RADIOGRAPHIC CHANGES AFTER LUMBAR DISKECTOMY - SEQUENTIAL ENHANCED COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY IN RELATION TO CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS

Fifty patients, with single-level disc herniations verified by compute d tomography, took part in a study where they were randomized to eithe r microsurgery or standard surgery. The aim of the study was to descri be the changes on a series of radiographic examinations after disc res ection, and to relate these changes to clinical symptoms. The study wa s prospective and the patients were examined with contrast-enhanced co mputed tomography during the first postoperative week, after 1-2 month s, and after 1 year. At 1 year after surgery 16 patients showed poster ior disc protrusion, 47 showed scar tissue, and 13 showed nerve root d isplacement. Microsurgically operated patients did not show less scar tissue. None of the postoperative radiographic changes had any definit e correlation to remaining back pain or leg pain.