Musculoskeletal Imaging

Discography

a method of imaging the intervertebral disc, especially in the evaluation of neck pain or low back pain after other tests have given inconclusive results (Fig.1). Discography is not purely an imaging technique as it incorporates measures that produce symptoms with diagnostic value.

If more than 1 ml of fluid can be administered, or if the patient's pain is reproduced, herniation of the intervertebral disc or some other lesion of the disc may be present.

DR/RB

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Fig.1

a. Lateral radiograph of the lumbar spine demonstrates a small triangular ossicle at the anterosuperior aspect of L3, a finding diagnostic of a limbus vertebra.
b. The discogram reveals a normal pattern of contrast opacification at the L3 - L4 disc. However, at the L2 - L3 disc, contrast material extends anteriorly through the cleft between the limbus vertebra and the adjacent L3 vertebral body.
Discography, Fig.1 (a)
Discography, Fig.1 (b)