title: Pathophysiological basis of lumbar disc degeneration: imaging analysis.
abstract: This article provides a brief synopsis of the pathoanatomic basis of disc degeneration. An attempt is made to correlate CT, MR and CT discographic findings. The T2-weighted sagittal images are the most sensitive for evaluating disc degeneration. The contour changes on axial CT and MR scans are sensitive for abnormalities but not always specific. The CT discogram adds information unavailable by other imaging methods pertaining to the internal architecture of the disc. It additionally defines focal nuclear herniations and also is helpful in evaluating the stage of disc degeneration.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Ostrum
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romy
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Swartz
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed