title: Computed tomography in sciatica.
abstract: Lumber facet arthropathy and a herniated disk are two major causes of low back pain and sciatica. The authors evaluated the importance of computed tomography (CT) in 243 patients with low back pain and/or sciatica. Lumbar facet abnormalities were found in 139 patients (57%), and a herniated disk was found in 48 patients (20%). CT findings correlated precisely with surgical observations in cases involving a herniated disk and correlated well with the results of an intra-articular facet block in a small series of patients. CT can effectively diagnose and differentiate between lumbar facet arthropathy and a herniated disk.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001177:Arthropathy, Neurogenic / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001416:Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009192:Myelography; D012585:Sciatica / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*