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L Wiltse

Publications and source records attributed to L Wiltse.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Automated percutaneous discectomy: a prospective multi-institutional study.

A prospective multi-institutional study was carried out to evaluate automated percutaneous discectomy in the treatment of lumbar disc herniations. Of the 327 patients who prospectively met the study criteria and were followed for longer than 1 year, 75.2% were successfully treated. When patients (n = 168) who prospectively did not meet the study criteria were treated, the success rate was 49.4%. One case of discitis was reported; otherwise, no other serious complications were noted, and specifically no vascular or nerve damage was encountered. This study indicates that automated percutaneous discectomy can be used successfully to treat lumbar disc herniations with minimal morbidity and emphasizes the need for proper patient selection.

Humans↗

High resolution surface coil magnetic resonance imaging of the spine: normal and pathologic anatomy.

In a brief two year period, magnetic resonance imaging of the spine has developed from a single slice, low signal/noise ratio, extremely time consuming technique to a multiplanar, high resolution examination that can be performed in a time frame similar to that of CT imaging. MR has already assumed a primary imaging role in myelopathic states. It is premature to evaluate its place vis-a-vis CT and myelography in many other disease states of the spine, but clearly, MR is assuming an ever expanding role. As technical improvements continue, it is perhaps realistic to predict that magnetic resonance will, in the near future, assume a dominant role in the imaging of the spine for the demonstration of most types of spinal disease.

Adult↗