Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities Predictive of Lumbar Herniation Recurrence

Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities Predictive of Lumbar Herniation Recurrence Following Surgical Repair

There are currently no standard criteria for evaluating the risk of recurrent disk herniation following surgical repair. This study investigated the predictive values of five presurgical imaging parameters, paraspinal muscle quality, annular tear size, Modic changes, modified Pfirrmann's disc degeneration grade, and presence of sacralization or fusion.

Clinical status and MRI findings were evaluated before surgery and 4, 12, and 24 months post-surgery using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Short Form 36 (SF36).

Inclusion Criteria:

• first operation for a single-level lumbar disk herniation
• no concurrent spinal pathology such as stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or deformity
• complete data on clinical and radiological parameters

Exclusion Criteria:

• the operation was for multi-level pathologies
• recurrent surgery
• exhibited concurrent spinal pathology
• was missing or incomplete clinical and radiological data