Meta Hunter~Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

With the high resolution of NLS devices such as Meta Hunter, this method can not only reveal morphological damage but also provide information on the extent of changes in degraded disks. Intervertebral disc degeneration leads to tissue dehydration, resulting in the gradual shrinkage of the intervertebral disc space and increased image signal color rendering. The latter is associated with changes in the disc proteoglycan structure; however, it is 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 annulus fibrosus to disappear. As the degree of degeneration increases, small fluid-filled fissures appear; they are detected as linear areas of hyperpigmentation. Calcification may occur later in the degenerated disc.

We can single out (without highlighting local themes):

1) Intervertebral disc herniation - a displaced intervertebral disc (nucleus pulposus) stretches the annulus fibrosus, causing micro-cracks on its exterior, but no perforation;

2) Intervertebral disc prolapse - part of the intervertebral disc penetrates the annulus fibrosus and enters the epidural space;

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

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

Due to this fact, in most cases a sufficient number of studies include the following examination: two-dimensional scans of the injured disc in sagittal and axial projections at the level of detected changes. It is practical to use three-dimensional scanning to highlight the closed plate to detect erosion and the condition of the bone marrow tissue.

The application of NLS-microscan is of great significance to evaluate the degree of deformation and contraction of the dural sac, as well as the condition of the dural funnel to detect its deformation and misalignment.

Considering the non-invasive characteristics and the absence of ionizing radiation, the NLS method can be used to dynamically monitor postoperative changes. To differentiate between recurrent disc herniation and postoperative scarring, we used spectral entropy analysis. Mature scar tissue has a special specter that is different from disc tissue and is perfectly visible in the SEA.

Meta Hunter's rich database and powerful functions are highly praised in the medical field.