A comparative study of the anatomical, radiological and therapeutic features of the lumbar facet joints

Neuroradiology. 1992;34(4):257-61. doi: 10.1007/BF00588176.

Abstract

An anatomical study of the lumbar apophyseal joints was carried out to facilitate recognition of facet joint lesions, which we now examine routinely by percutaneous arthrography. Special attention was given to the configuration of the different compartments of the joint space and to its relationships with the contents of the intervertebral foramen. The abnormalities seen on lumbar facet joint arthrography are very varied; two major groups should be stressed: synovial fringe hypertrophy and pseudodiverticular synovial ectasia. The percutaneous approach to lumbar facet joint arthrography allows it to be used a therapeutic measure, with injection of anti-inflammatory drugs into the joint space, the beneficial effects of which were confirmed in our series. The precision, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of this outpatient technique justify and should encourage its more widespread application in the diagnosis and treatment of low back pain.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Arthrography*
  • Back Pain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Back Pain / pathology
  • Back Pain / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc / diagnostic imaging
  • Intervertebral Disc / pathology
  • Intervertebral Disc / surgery
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Sciatica / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sciatica / pathology
  • Sciatica / surgery
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / diagnostic imaging*
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / pathology
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / surgery
  • Synovectomy
  • Synovial Membrane / diagnostic imaging
  • Synovial Membrane / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*