title: Lumbar discography: current concepts and controversies.
abstract: Lumbar provocation discography is an invasive diagnostic procedure to identify pain originating from within the lumbar discs. Specific morphological changes within the disc, classified as radial fissures, can be imaged following the injection of radiopaque contrast into the nucleus pulposus. The reproduction of concordant low back and/or referred somatic pain to the lower extremity under controlled conditions and the demonstration of annular radial tears are part of a spectrum of internal disc disruption that is separate from disc degeneration. A review of the validity and technique of lumbar discography as well as recently described causes of false positive responses are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Jefferson Tower, Suite N316, 619 19th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35243, USA.
authors.forename: Philip H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed