OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the dynamic X-ray efficiency in the diagnosis of intersomatic fusion, in comparison with TC in fine cuts and 3D reconstruction. METHODS: Between December 2004 and March 2010, 25 patients operated with TLIF technique with PEEK cage, chips of autologous bone from the iliac crest (pre and intra-cage) and titanium pedicular screws in a single lumbar segment were evaluated. These 25 cases were evaluated in a random way by the three authors of this study with dynamic X-rays that informed if the segment showed fusion (A) or not (B) according to the presence of segmentary movement. In the same way, the TC evaluation looking for the posterior sentinel sign (A) present and (B) absent. RESULTS: According to the appreciation of the authors and the dynamic X rays, 24 of the 25 patients (96%) showed no segmentary movement at all, and so, were considered fused. In contrast, the observation of the 1-mm cuts of CT in 3D reconstruction showed signs consistent with fusion on 17 patients (68%). CONCLUSION: The method of choice for the diagnosis of intersomatic fusion is the CT with cuts of 1mm and 3D reconstruction.
Cervical vertebrae; Spinal fusion; Tomography, X-ray
