title: Prospective comparison of epidural venography and iophendylate myelography in the diagnosis of herniated lumbar disks.
abstract: Fifty consecutive patients with suspected herniated nucleus pulposus at L4-5 or L5-S1 were evaluated prospectively with both epidural venography and iophendylate myelography. The two procedures were compared with respect to diagnostic accuracy, ease of performance, and complications. Evaluation of both the L4-5 and L5-S1 disk space levels was attempted in every patient, for a total of 100 levels. Surgical confirmation was obtained for 37 levels in 30 patients. While epidural venography is useful, myelography remains the procedure of choice.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007481:Iophendylate; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography; D010690:Phlebography; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000098:blood supply
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007481:Iophendylate