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Advances in the application of multimodal magnetic resonance imaging for nerve root assessment before and after minimally invasive surgery for lumbar disc herniation
SUN Qi  XIAO Wenfeng 

Cite this article as: SUN Q, XIAO W F. Advances in the application of multimodal magnetic resonance imaging for nerve root assessment before and after minimally invasive surgery for lumbar disc herniation[J]. Chin J Magn Reson Imaging, 2025, 16(4): 221-227. DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2025.04.036.


[Abstract] Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common spinal disorder that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. With advancements in minimally invasive surgical techniques, percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) has emerged as a mainstream treatment option due to its advantages of minimal trauma and rapid recovery. However, conventional imaging techniques have limitations in assessing nerve root function, making it difficult to comprehensively evaluate the microstructure and functional status of nerve roots. Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, such as magnetic resonance neurography (MRN), diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT), integrate morphological and functional assessments to more accurately visualize nerve root compression, injury severity, and postoperative recovery. These methods provide critical insights for LDH diagnosis, surgical planning, and treatment efficacy evaluation. In recent years, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical image analysis has brought breakthroughs in automated LDH detection and nerve root assessment. Deep learning-based image reconstruction and segmentation techniques have significantly improved image quality and diagnostic efficiency. Future research should focus on optimizing AI algorithms and exploring their potential in conjunction with multimodal MRI for pre- and postoperative nerve root evaluation in LDH, aiming to enhance diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic outcomes. This article provides a systematic review of the current application status of multimodal MRI in the evaluation of nerve roots before and after minimally invasive LDH surgery, analyzes its advantages and limitations, and explores the future development direction of combining with artificial intelligence. The aim is to provide reference for optimizing clinical diagnosis and treatment decisions and exploring the mechanism of nerve root injury in scientific research.
[Keywords] lumbar disc herniation；lumbosacral nerve root；percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy；magnetic resonance imaging；deep learning

SUN Qi1   XIAO Wenfeng2*  

1 School of Medical Imaging, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China

2 Department of Medical Imaging, Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital, Dongying 257034, China

Corresponding author: XIAO W F, E-mail: xiaohy1999@163.com

Conflicts of interest   None.

Received  2025-01-09
Accepted  2025-04-10
DOI: 10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2025.04.036
Cite this article as: SUN Q, XIAO W F. Advances in the application of multimodal magnetic resonance imaging for nerve root assessment before and after minimally invasive surgery for lumbar disc herniation[J]. Chin J Magn Reson Imaging, 2025, 16(4): 221-227. DOI:10.12015/issn.1674-8034.2025.04.036.

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