Does needle insertion site affect diskography results? A retrospective analysis.
METHODS
A retrospective clinical data analysis was performed.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of needle insertion site on provocative diskography results, and to ascertain whether performing diskography ipsilaterally to a patient's reported pain leads to a higher rate of false-positives.


BACKGROUND
In certain groups of patients, provocative diskography is associated with a significant false-positive rate, which can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Although purported by some to be a cause of false-positive diskogram results, the effect of needle insertion site on diskography results has yet to be determined.


METHODS
The charts of 127 patients who underwent diskography were evaluated to determine the relationship between the location of pain, needle insertion site, and diskography results.


RESULTS
Performing diskography on the side ipsilateral to a patient's pain did not result in a higher incidence of positive diskogram results.


CONCLUSIONS
False-positive diskography results are unlikely to result from performing the procedure on the same side as a patient's reported pain.
Cohen
Steven P
SP
Department of Anesthesiology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. Steven.Cohen@med.nyu.edu
Larkin
Thomas
T
Fant
Gregory V
GV
Oberfoell
Ronald
R
Stojanovic
Milan
M
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles / Q000009:adverse effects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology
D003287:Contrast Media