EC Neurology

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the ultrasonographic features of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in older school-aged children detected by MRI.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of ultrasonography results was conducted on 95 lumbar intervertebral discs in 19 children aged 13 to 18 years. All patients had clinical and neurological signs of degenerative disc disease-discomfort and chronic lower back pain of mild and moderate severity, aggravated by heavy lifting and awkward body positions. Radiographically, a decrease in intervertebral space height and osteophytes at the level of the discs involved in the degenerative process were recorded in all cases.

Ultrasonography (USG) was performed at the level of disks L1-L2 - L5-S1, in sagittal and axial sections. In axial section was performed the anteroposterior size of central spinal canal and spinal nerve canal.

Results: Hernia was diagnosed only at the level of L4-L5 and L5-S1 - in 9 (9.5 ± 3.0%) and 10 (10.5 ± 3.1%) discs out of 95 examined in 19 children.

Median hernia localization was recorded in 8 (8.4 ± 2.8%) discs, paramedian - in 9 (9.5 ± 3.0%) discs, and posterolateral - in 2 (2.1 ± 1.5%) discs, respectively. The median and paramedian protrusions was significantly more frequently recorded than the posterolateral (P < 0,05) types.

Conclusion:

1. Ultrasonography is as effective as magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing lumbar disc herniations in older school-aged children. Only in interpreting paramedian and median herniation locations is there a slight difference between the two methods.
2. In high school aged children in the lumbar spine, median and paramedian hernia are most commonly found, which are most often localized at the level of both L4-L5 and L5-S1.
3. Ultrasonography can be used to screen children with low back discomfort or pain to detect lumbar disc degeneration in its early stages.

 Keywords: Lumbar Intervertebral Discs Hernia; Spinal Canal; Ultrasonography; High School Aged Children; Magnetic Resonance Tomography

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