[Diagnosis of 3-level lumbar nucleus pulposus prolapse]

Clinical investigations and plain film of the spine are not sufficient for diagnosis of three-level lumbar nucleus pulposus prolapse. Contrast investigations, especially radiculography with television monitoring, are particularly suitable for demonstration of multiple prolapses. In a material of 730 cases two-level prolapse was found in about 12% of cases and three-level prolapse in about 0.5% of cases and this suggests that radiculography should be carried out routinely before each operation for lumbar nucleus pulposus prolapse.