Analysis of intradiscal volume changes in the thoracolumbar spine for independent pairs (n = 8).

<p>Analysis of intradiscal volume changes in the thoracolumbar spine for independent pairs (n = 8).</p

Initial nucleus pulposus volumes in the independent thoracic (placebo group n = 18, nucleoplasty group n = 18) and thoracolumbar (placebo group n = 8, nucleoplasty group n = 8) groups in a box-whisker plot, presenting the 25% (lower box end), 50% (marking in the box) and 75% quartiles (lower and upper box end).

<p>The whiskers represent the smallest and largest values in the 1.5× interquartile range. The group differences were not significant - p = 0.130 and p = 0.461.</p

Analysis of intradiscal volume changes in the thoracic spine for independent pairs (n = 18).

<p>Analysis of intradiscal volume changes in the thoracic spine for independent pairs (n = 18).</p

Summary of intradiscal volume changes in the thoracic (n = 36) and thoracolumbar (n = 16) spine: nucleoplasty versus placebo.

<p>Summary of intradiscal volume changes in the thoracic (n = 36) and thoracolumbar (n = 16) spine: nucleoplasty versus placebo.</p

Differences between initial and postoperative volumes for placebo and nucleoplasty groups.

<p>Comparison of the values of the thoracic group and thoracolumbar group shows a volume increase in the placebo group and a volume reduction in the nucleoplasty group (_°- markers denote “mild” outliers within the 1.5× and 3× interquartile ranges).</p

T2-weighted sagittal and axial images of ex vivo discs of pigs, depicting the hyperintense nucleus pulposus and the surrounding inhomogeneous hypointense anulus fibrosus.

<p>a: Sagittal image of lumbar motion segments showing axial stack. The axial images were acquired without gaps, parallel to the disc. b: Preoperative image. The green line outlines the nucleus pulposus area for volume calculation. c: Postinterventional image of the placebo group. Visible coblation channel at the 7–8 o’clock position on the left. d: Postinterventional image of nucleoplasty group. Visible coblation channel at the 4–5 o’clock position on the right; the channel is hypointense in the nucleus pulposus and hyperintense in the anulus fibrosus.</p

Postoperative volumes in the independent placebo and nucleoplasty groups for the two spinal segments investigated.

<p>Postoperative volumes in the independent placebo and nucleoplasty groups for the two spinal segments investigated.</p

Patient Tracker.

<p>Patient Tracker.</p

Sagittal images of lumbar motion segments showing axial stack. The axial images were acquired without gaps, parallel to the disc.

<p>Sagittal images of lumbar motion segments showing axial stack. The axial images were acquired without gaps, parallel to the disc.</p

Postoperative volumes in the independent placebo group and nucleoplasty group (n = 21).

<p>Postoperative volumes in the independent placebo group and nucleoplasty group (n = 21).</p