A COMPLETE SPINAL EVALUATION

• Japanese version

The spine is made up of bones called vertebrae. The spine is essential to support the human body, protect the spinal cord which is a part of the central nervous system, and absorb the shock from various movements of the body.
A complete evaluation of the condition of your spine allows you to decide which medical treatment or surgical procedure will be the most beneficial. If you plan to take the minimally invasive spine surgery which requires only a one or two night stay, it is recommended that you have a complete spinal evaluation to obtain the most recent detailed information.

DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATIONS
（Each diagnostic examination costs 55,000 yen）

You should schedule an examination if you:

• Want a detailed diagnosis of the condition of your spine and spinal cord.
• Suffer from a spinal illness and are exploring options for treatment.
• Need a second opinion on a surgical decision.
• Decided on the minimally invasive spine surgery for a percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD).

Each examination and their costs:

You may select for a separate examination for a specific region of the spine: cervical, thoracic or lumbar.
Each examination takes a half a day and costs 55,000 yen. There is no need to skip any meals.
An appointment can be scheduled by telephone.
(0120-000-568, 0587-92-3388. Foreign language service is available in English. If you contact us from outside Japan, please call +81-587-92-3388.)

Diagnostic Test	Explanation
MRI (1.5-Tesla) Magnetic Resonance Imaging	Used to evaluate the condition of the soft tissue, including the discs, spinal cord and nerves.
CT (64 multi) Computed Tomography	The condition of the vertebrae and facet joints are examined by cross-sectional and three-dimensional (3D) images. A closer examination for osteophytes (bone spurs), slippage and calcification of the disc is performed.
X-ray	Spinal instability, alignment, and bone density are examined.

Optional spinal examination

Depending on your symptom, further diagnostic tests may be required to determine the accurate location of surgery and the surgical approach to be used.
Each diagnostic test costs 30,000 yen.

Diagnostic Test	Explanation
Selective radiculography	Detects which nerve root appears to be truly damaged. A contrast and diagnostic local anesthetic is injected around the nerve root.
Discography	Used to identify lateral herniation which is located in a less common area. A CT scan is taken after the contrast is injected into the disc.

EXPLANATION OF THE DIAGNOSIS

The detailed results of the diagnostic tests will be explained to you by specialized doctors of Aichi Spine Institute. In case any disorder is detected and/or the minimally invasive spine surgery is appropriate for your condition, the procedure requires you to stay for only one or two nights in the hospital.
Aichi Spine Institute has broken ground as the first specialized medical center for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and has performed the greatest number of percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomies (PELDs) in Japan during 2009.

A COMPLETE PRE-OPERATIVE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

Before your operation at Aichi Spine Institute, a complete physical examination will be conducted. It includes blood analysis, an electrocardiogram (ECG), urine analysis, a lung functional test and a chest x-ray. This pre-operative physical examination costs 25,000 yen.

• Japanese version

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