Comparative Investigations of Special Contrast Studies on Lumbar Dics Lesion

Venography, peridurography, Conray-myelography and discography are a X-ray diagnostic technique for a lumbar disc lesion. Twenty patients of lumbar disc lesion, all of whom were studied with these X-ray diagnostic technique, and treated by anterior remeval of disc and interbody fusion. The value of these techniques as a diagnostic aid was discussed. The discussion was supported by the result of comparative investigations between the findings of these special constrast studies and operation. The rate of coincidence between the two was as follows:1) in 10 cases of L4-5 disc lesion: venography, peridurography and discography were 100%. Conray-myelography was 40%.2) in 7 cases of L5-S disc lesion: venography, peridurography and Conray-myelography were 71%. Discography was 100%.3) in 3 cases of L4-5. L5-S, double disc lesions: venography, peridurography, Conraymyelography and discography were 100%.The rate of coincidences of these special constrast studies in these 20 cases were as follows: venography (90%), peridurography (95%), discography (100%) and Conray-myelography (60%). From these comparative investigations, discography is seemed to be the most believable diagnostic technique for both L4-5 and L5-S disc lesions.