NUCLEAR-MAGNETIC-RESONANCE SPECTROSCOPY OF CEREBROSPINAL-FLUID FROM PATIENTS WITH LOW-BACK-PAIN AND SCIATICA

Study Design, This study was carried out to assess the metabolic diffe rences between pain-free control subjects and patients with low back p ain, either with or without disc protrusion or herniation. Objectives. To analyze various metabolites in human cerebrospinal fluid using pro ton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The potential use of this technique as an additional tool for diagnostic assessment was also ev aluated. Summary of Background Data. Inflammation is thought to play a major role in the generation of lumbar spine pain, a theory supported both by animal and in vitro studies. The effect of the inflammation i n terms of increased metabolism has not yet been studied. Methods. Cer ebrospinal fluid was obtained from patients by lumbar puncture, frozen , redissolved, and analyzed for metabolites by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results. Significantly lower values for sever al key metabolites were found in patients with low back pain or sciati ca, with the lowest values in the subgroup of patients with myelograph ic signs of disc protrusion or herniation. Conclusions, The results in dicate a higher level of metabolic activity in patients with low back pain or sciatica compared with pain-free control subjects, with this d ifference being most pronounced in the subgroup of patients with myelo graphic evidence of disc protrusion or herniation.