Objective To explore the predictive value of enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for pathological classification and prognosis of conservative treatment in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

Methods Clinical materials of 105 patients with conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation in the hospital from September 2021 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients underwent enhanced MRI at the time points of hospital admission and the final examination. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of enhanced MRI parameters maximal rim thickness (Tr), rim enhancement range (Er), and herniated volume in the pathological classification of lumbar disc herniation. Patients were followed up for 8 months and divided into recurrence and non-recurrence groups based on recurrence after conservative treatment. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for low back pain, and levels of enhanced MRI parameters were compared between the two groups. ROC curve analysis was conducted to assess the predictive value of Tr, Er and herniated volume for the prognosis.

Results The levels of Tr and Er in the extrusion patients were significantly higher than those in the sequestration patients (P < 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) for the prediction of pathological classification of lumbar disc herniation by Tr combined with Er was 0.854, with a sensitivity of 84.21% and a specificity of 76.12%. After treatment, the ODI score and VAS score for low back pain in the non-recurrence group were significantly lower than those in the recurrence group, while Tr and Er were significantly higher in the non-recurrence group (P < 0.05).The AUC for the prediction of the prognosis of conservative treatment for lumbar disc herniation by Tr combined with Er was 0.802, with a sensitivity of 96.55% and a specificity of 53.95%.

Conclusion Enhanced MRI has good value in assessing the pathological classification and prognosis of conservative treatment in patients with lumbar disc herniation.