Comparative study of computed tomography and water soluble myelography in lumbar disc lesions

ABSTRACT

The advent of computed tomography has revolutionized the radiological work-up of lumbar spine disorders. It is a simple non-invasive technique which is able to display the bony and soft tissue constituents of the lumbar spine. In this work, twenty patients with various disc lesions were selected. Each case was examined separately by CT and myelography. The results of both techniques were discussed and compared. CT was proved to be as accurate or slightly more higher, ideal and reliable method for demonstration and evaluation of intervertebral disc lesions, as myelography. Axial CT accuracy exceeds that of water soluble myelography in assessing disc herniation at L [5]-S [1] disc level, lateral disc herniation and study of levels distal to complete block to myelographic contrast column. Myelography is superior to CT in showing nerve root sleeves amputation