J Korean Radiol Soc.  1984 Sep;20(3):407-413. 10.3348/jkrs.1984.20.3.407.

Computed tomography in lumbar herniated disc

• Choi CS
• Chang KH
• Han MC

• KMID: 2462993
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.1984.20.3.407

Abstract

197 spine CTs were performed from 29th, March 1982 to 7th March, 1984. Among them, 39 patients preoperatively diagnosed as herniated nucleus pulposus ar bulging disc with CT and myelography were operated. 43 disc spaces ofdisc disease were analysed in true positive and false negative cases. Finally the accuracy, sensitivity and specifictiy of spine CT and myelography ar calculated. The resuslts are as follows; 1. The CT findings of disc diseases are in order of frequency, asymmetrical obliteration of epidural fat (82%), ventral indentation orcompression on dural sac(72%), focal protrusion of disc(64%), root changs - obliteration, displacement,compression, non-filling of meterizamide - (54%), diffuse disc bulging (36%), disc at body level(31%), disc calcifications (26%), disc vacuum (10%) and other associated findings -spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis,legament flavum thickening, facet joint hypertrophy -(26%). 2. Sensitivites of spine CT and myelography are 95%and 94%, specificities are 67%, 50% and overall accuracies 93%, 87%, respectively. 3. Therefore, it is recommended that the spine CT be used as primary diagnostic method and the myelography as a secondary complementary study when the CT gives no conclusive findings.

MeSH Terms

Constriction, Pathologic
Humans
Hypertrophy
Intervertebral Disc Displacement*
Methods
Myelography
Spine
Vacuum
Zygapophyseal Joint