Main description:

This easy-to-consult guide examines the most advanced techniques in the radiological evaluation of the disc and degenerative disc disease, using conventional, functional, dynamic and advanced imaging. It provides clear information on a range of CT, X-ray, and MRI guided techniques, presents all disc treatments in connection with symptomatic disc herniations, evaluates conservative, chemical (ESI, steroid, Ozone, ethanol gel injections) and physical treatments (coblation, laser, decompressors, endoscopy), and assesses the possibility of repairing and/or regenerating the disc in the context of reversible disc degeneration. Like other books in the Springer series New Procedures in Spinal Interventional Neuroradiology, this practice-oriented volume will fill a significant gap in the literature and meet the need expressed by many specialists (interventional neuroradiologists and radiologists, neurosurgeons, and orthopedists) for a topical and handy guide that specifically illustrates the currently available materials and methods.

Contents:

Anatomy, biomechanics and clinical evaluation of the Disc.- Pathophysiology of the disc disease.- Disc degeneration: anatomo-pathological overview.- Conventional Neuroradiology of disc disease.- DTI of the disc.- DWI of the disc.- Dynamic MRI studies.- ESI. Are they still usefull?.- Evidentiary basis of percutaneous discectomy.- Minimal invasive treatment for herniated disk: how we can destroy the disc with chemical tools.- Minimal invasive treatment for herniated disk: how we can destroy the disc with physical tools.- Endoscopic percutaneous discectomy.- New insights into cell/biomaterial based disc therapy: how we can regenerate the disc.- New biomaterials for discal replacement.- Surgical replacement of the disc.