Meta Hunter Faces Disc Degeneration

The high resolution of NLS devices such as Meta Hunter, a method that not only reveals morphological damage, but also provides information on the extent of changes in degenerated disks. Degeneration of the intervertebral disc leads to dehydration of the tissue, resulting in a gradual reduction of the intervertebral disc space and increased color rendering of the image signal. The latter was associated with changes in the proteoglycan structure of the intervertebral discs; but it was not caused by absolute changes in water content. Loss of water in the intervertebral disc causes its height to decrease, and the boundary between the nucleus pulposus and the annulus fibrosus disappears. With increasing degree of degeneration, fine fluid-filled fissures appear; they are detected as hyperpigmented linear areas. Calcification may occur later in the degenerated intervertebral disc.


We can single out (without highlighting local themes):

1) herniated disc - a displaced intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus) stretches the annulus fibrosus, with microcracks on its exterior, but no perforation;

2) Intervertebral disc prolapse - part of the intervertebral disc passes through the fibrous ring and enters the epidural space;

3) Disc sequestrum - migration of nucleus pulposus material above or below the disc level.


The typical NLS-picture changes of the bone marrow tissue near the intervertebral disc of vertebral degeneration can be divided into three types for convenience: vascular type, fatty type and sclerotic type.


Due to this fact, in most cases a sufficient number of studies included the following examinations: Two-dimensional scans of sagittal and axial projections of the injured intervertebral disc at the level of changes detected. It is practical to apply 3D scanning to emphasize the closed plate to detect its erosion and marrow tissue condition.


The application of NLS-microscanning is important to assess the degree of deformation and shrinkage of the dural sac, as well as the condition of the dural funnel to detect its deformation and misalignment.


Considering the non-invasive features and the absence of ionizing radiation, the NLS method can be used to dynamically monitor postoperative changes. To distinguish recurrent disc hernias from postoperative scars, we used spectral entropy analysis. Mature scar tissue has a special ghost different from disc tissue, which can be perfectly seen in SEA.


Meta Hunter's rich database and powerful features are well received in the medical community.