Measurement of Intervertebral Disc Heights in the Lumbar Spine. Comparison of X-Ray and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Method of Measurement and Determination of Inter-observer Reliability

Structured image diagnosis of vertebral body degeneration and intervertebral disc damage - Binary image criteria and comparison for systematic image analysis for occupational diseases 2108 and 2110

BACKGROUND

Job-related limitations of earning capacity are eligible for recognition under social legislation and may be subject to compensation (see Part 1).

METHOD

For the recognition of an occupational disease (BK), diagnostic imaging is required as part of the legal determination procedure for occupational diseases 2108/2110 ("occupational disc disease"). The focus is on image criteria on X-ray images and MRI examinations. In a consensus paper under the guidance of the German Social Accident Insurance Institutions from 2005, the characteristic patterns are defined and explained extensively and summarized in typical occupation-related constellations. This article presents representative image examples as a reference system for expert reporting as far as the typical patterns from the consensus paper are concerned.

CONCLUSION

In Part 2, comparison images with the typical findings of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs according to occupational diseases are systematically presented, explained, and offered as a reference system for expert assessment. The image criteria can be used as "evidence by eye" (Heuck) in the recognition procedure.

KEY POINTS

· Occupational diseases are defined by the legislator in the "List of Occupational Diseases".. · For occupational intervertebral disc diseases (OD nos. 2108/2110), constellations of findings are defined.. · Within the scope of diagnostic imaging, a large number of image criteria are used.. · Part 1 explains the basics and the legal background.. · Part 2 provides the image criteria on the basis of "comparison images" as a reference catalog..

CITATION FORMAT

· Braunschweig R, Kildal D, Meyer-Clement M et al. Structured image diagnosis of vertebral body degeneration and intervertebral disc damage - Binary image criteria and comparison for systematic image analysis for occupational diseases 2108 and 2110. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; 196: 912 - 920.

Single-position oblique lumbar interbody fusion with navigation: improved efficiency and screw accuracy compared to dual-position with fluoroscopy

Dual-position oblique lumbar interbody fusion with fluoroscopy (D-OLIF) requires repositioning the patient to a prone position for pedicle screw insertion. Recently, single-position surgery with navigation has been introduced. However, there are concerns regarding pedicle screw accuracy and achieving appropriate sagittal balance in single-position OLIF with navigation (S-OLIF). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of S-OLIF compared to D-OLIF. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 102 patients who underwent single-level OLIF at a single institution. The patients were divided into two groups: 55 in the S-OLIF group and 47 in the D-OLIF group. The numeric rating scale for back and leg, Oswestry disability index, and walking distance improvements showed no significant difference. However, the EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level index showed higher improvement in the S-OLIF (P = 0.029). The segmental lordosis, lumbar lordosis, and C7 sagittal vertical axis showed no significant difference. S-OLIF had significantly fewer cases of pedicle screw malposition (P = 0.045). Additionally, the surgery time was shorter in the S-OLIF (P = 0.002). In conclusion, S-OLIF exhibited clinical and radiological outcomes comparable to D-OLIF, with the added advantages of reduced surgery time and enhanced accuracy in pedicle screw placement.

Structured image diagnosis of vertebral body degeneration and disc damage - Binary image criteria and comparison for systematic image analysis in occupational diseases 2108/2110

BACKGROUND

Occupationally related limitations of earning capacity can be recognized under social legislation and may be subject to compensation ("reduction in earning capacity"). For this purpose, legislators have defined a list of occupational diseases ("BK list"). Recognition of an occupational disease requires a legal assessment procedure based on a medical appraisal. The aim of the assessment is to prove the "causality" and the "causality giving rise to liability".

METHOD

In addition to clinical findings and workplace analyses, imaging methods (projection radiography, MRI) are primarily used to substantiate liability. These methods enable proof of load-conforming damage patterns for occupational diseases 2108/2110 (damage to intervertebral discs).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

In addition to the legal background, the following review article primarily presents the image criteria for load-conforming damage patterns of the spine. On the basis of the consensus paper on the "Assessment of occupational disc diseases of the lumbar spine", image criteria are assigned to age-atypical grades of findings, and "typical constellations of findings" are defined for vibration (BK 2108) or lifting (BK 2110) loads. The aim of Part 1 is to explain the image criteria of the comparative images presented as image plates in Part 2 and thus to present a reference catalog of findings.

KEY STATEMENTS

· Occupational diseases are defined by legislators in the "List of Occupational Diseases".. · For occupational intervertebral disc diseases (BK 2108/2110), constellations of findings are defined.. · In the context of imaging diagnostics, a large number of image criteria are used.. · Part 1 explains the basics.. · Part 2 provides the image criteria on the basis of "comparative images" as a reference catalog..

CITATION FORMAT

· Braunschweig R, Kildal D, Meyer-Clement M et al. Structured image diagnosis of vertebral body degeneration and disc damage - Binary image criteria and comparison for systematic image analysis in occupational diseases 2108/2110. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2024; 196: 347 - 353.