Thoracic, Lumbar, and Sacral Spine Anatomy for Endoscopic Surgery

Assessment of thoracic disk herniation by using virtual noncalcium dual-energy CT in comparison with standard grayscale CT

Objectives

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy CT (DECT) virtual noncalcium (VNCa) reconstructions for assessing thoracic disk herniation compared to standard grayscale CT.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 87 patients (1131 intervertebral disks; mean age, 66 years; 47 women) who underwent third-generation dual-source DECT and 3.0-T MRI within 3 weeks between November 2016 and April 2020 were included. Five blinded radiologists analyzed standard DECT and color-coded VNCa images after a time interval of 8 weeks for the presence and degree of thoracic disk herniation and spinal nerve root impingement. Consensus reading of independently evaluated MRI series served as the reference standard, assessed by two separate experienced readers. Additionally, image ratings were carried out by using 5-point Likert scales.

Results

MRI revealed a total of 133 herniated thoracic disks. Color-coded VNCa images yielded higher overall sensitivity (624/665 [94%; 95% CI, 0.89–0.96] vs 485/665 [73%; 95% CI, 0.67–0.80]), specificity (4775/4990 [96%; 95% CI, 0.90–0.98] vs 4066/4990 [82%; 95% CI, 0.79–0.84]), and accuracy (5399/5655 [96%; 95% CI, 0.93–0.98] vs 4551/5655 [81%; 95% CI, 0.74–0.86]) for the assessment of thoracic disk herniation compared to standard CT (all p < .001). Interrater agreement was excellent for VNCa and fair for standard CT (ϰ = 0.82 vs 0.37; p < .001). In addition, VNCa imaging achieved higher scores regarding diagnostic confidence, image quality, and noise compared to standard CT (all p < .001).

Conclusions

Color-coded VNCa imaging yielded substantially higher diagnostic accuracy and confidence for assessing thoracic disk herniation compared to standard CT.

Key Points

• Color-coded VNCa reconstructions derived from third-generation dual-source dual-energy CT yielded significantly higher diagnostic accuracy for the assessment of thoracic disk herniation and spinal nerve root impingement compared to standard grayscale CT.

• VNCa imaging provided higher diagnostic confidence and image quality at lower noise levels compared to standard grayscale CT.

• Color-coded VNCa images may potentially serve as a viable imaging alternative to MRI under circumstances where MRI is unavailable or contraindicated.

Palliative response and functional interference outcomes using the Brief Pain Inventory for spinal bony metastases treated with conventional radiotherapy

AIMS

To report pain and functional interference responses in patients radiated for painful spinal metastases, and to determine if location within the vertebral column or dose fractionation are associated with response.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients treated with palliative radiotherapy for symptomatic spinal metastases from May 2003 to June 2005 were analysed. All patients completed the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) assessment tool at 1, 2 and 3 months after radiotherapy. The pain response was determined using the International Bone Metastases Consensus response definitions. Given seven BPI functional interference items, a Bonferroni adjusted P value of less than 0.007 was considered significant.

RESULTS

One hundred and nine treated patients were assessed. About 50% of patients were treated with a single fraction of 8Gy. All pain scores and functional interference scores significantly decreased over time after radiotherapy. At 3 months, 64% of patients achieved a response. Mood was significantly improved for responders (P=0.003) and a trend in improvement was observed for general activity (P=0.01) and normal work (P=0.04). Breast and prostate primaries were more likely to achieve an early response as compared with a lung primary. Neither location within the vertebral column or radiotherapy dose fractionation independently predicted for pain or functional interference responses.

CONCLUSION

Conventional radiotherapy with 8Gy in a single fraction for spine metastases resulted in effective palliation of pain at 3 months and had a positive effect on a patient's mood. Location within the spine was not a predictive factor.