Discography interpretation and techniques in the lumbar spine.
The authors provide an indepth analysis of discography, a provocative diagnostic tool to determine the origin of low-back pain. Injecting the intervertebral disc with radiopaque dye provides physicians with several useful pieces of information. First, the modality provides radiographic evaluation of the integrity of the nucleus pulposus and annular rings to determine tears or other lesions that could be creating low-back pain. Second, and very important, is its measure of disc nociception. A normal disc should not cause pain when injected; however, a disc that is physiologically compromised can mimic the pain previously experienced by a patient. The authors review the indications, technique, and interpretation of discography to allow a better understanding of when to use this diagnostic test and what to do with the results.
Tomecek
Frank J
FJ
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
Anthony
C Scott
CS
Boxell
Chris
C
Warren
Jennifer
J
D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography