Spine 2023, Aug, 08 | 12:00 am

MCQs on Lumbar Disc Herniations

Interactive MCQs

MCQs on Lumbar Disc Herniations

  1. What is the preferred imaging study for diagnosing and classifying lumbar disc herniations?

    • A. X-ray
    • B. CT scan
    • C. MRI
    • D. Ultrasound
    • E. PET scan

    Answer: C. MRI

    Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred imaging study for diagnosing and classifying lumbar disc herniations.

  2. What is the most common complaint in patients with lumbar disc herniation?

    • A. Headache
    • B. Pain
    • C. Numbness
    • D. Weakness
    • E. Dizziness

    Answer: B. Pain

    The most common complaint in patients with lumbar disc herniation is pain, with or without associated paresthesias or weakness in a specific monoradicular anatomic distribution.

  3. What is the most common approach used in surgery for lumbar disc herniations?

    • A. Interlaminar window approach
    • B. Intertransverse window approach
    • C. Transforaminal approach
    • D. Posterior approach
    • E. Anterior approach

    Answer: A. Interlaminar window approach

    The interlaminar window approach is used in about 90% of lumbar disc herniations requiring surgery.

  4. What are the gold standard surgical techniques for lumbar disc herniations?

    • A. Open discectomy and microdiscectomy
    • B. Laminectomy and laminotomy
    • C. Foraminotomy and facetectomy
      • li>D. Spinal fusion and artificial disc replacement
    • E. Kyphoplasty and vertebroplasty

    Answer: A. Open discectomy and microdiscectomy

    Open discectomy and microdiscectomy are the gold standard surgical techniques for lumbar disc herniations, with well-documented short-term and long-term outcomes.

  5. What is the most common nonoperative management option for lumbar disc herniation?

    • A. Rest
    • B. Medication
    • C. Exercise
    • D. Injections
    • E. Time

    Answer: E. Time

    Studies have shown that over 90% of patients with a first-time lumbar disc herniation will improve without surgery with time and nonoperative treatment.

  6. In which zone is the interlaminar window approach used for lumbar disc herniations?

    • A. Central canal
    • B. Subarticular zone
    • C. Foraminal zone
    • D. Extraforaminal (far lateral) zone
    • E. A and B

    Answer: E. A and B

    The interlaminar window approach is used in about 90% of lumbar disc herniations requiring surgery. It is appropriate for herniations within the central canal or subarticular zones from L1 to S1.

  7. In which zone is the intertransverse window approach used for lumbar disc herniations?

    • A. Central canal
    • B. Subarticular zone
    • C. Foraminal zone
      • li>D. Extraforaminal (far lateral) zone li>E.C and D
    p class=answerAnswer: E.C and D/p p classexplanationThe intertransverse window approach is used in about 10% of lumbar disc herniations requiring surgery.It is appropriate for herniations within the foraminal and extraforaminal zones from L1 to L5./p /l /ol /form /body /html