Quantitative Sensory Testing and PET/CT Scanning in Assessment of Surgical Outcome for Lumbar Disc Herniation

Quantitative Sensory Testing and PET/CT Scanning in Assessment of Surgical Outcome for Lumbar Disc Herniation

Patients with lumbar disc herniation suffer from pain and morbidity. Surgical intervention can be a quick and effective relief, however some individuals experience less favorable outcome.

This study tries to investigate and test the differences in pain perception and pain modulation between individuals. Using PET/CT scans the investigators try to visualize pain perception and -modulation in the CNS. This is subsequently correlated with a battery of pain tests and the surgical outcome of disc herniation surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Informed consent
• Clinical and radiological indication for LDH surgery, assessed by an experienced spinal surgeon
• Age 40-65 years
• Able to comply with regulations regarding medicine consumption (stated below)

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of previous spine surgery
• General contra-indication for spine surgery
• Greatly reduced kidney function
• Diagnosis of psychiatric disorder
• Current malignant disease
• History of radiation therapy
• Current chemotherapy
• History of spinal fracture
• Hematologic disease
• Current pregnancy or breast-feeding
• Chronic, generalized connective tissue disorders or chronic, non-specific pain disorders (fibromyalgia, whiplash (WAD I-V), etc.)