[Ultrasound diagnosis of lumbar intervertebral disk displacement--a clinically relevant method?]

In a prospective clinical study, 102 patients suffering from low back pain were examined by ultrasound. In all patients the segments L3/4, L4/5, and L5/S1 were evaluated. We analysed a total of 306 lumbar disc segments. Ultrasound evaluation was transabdominally performed by using a 3,5 MHz scanner. The results of the ultrasound documentation were compared to MRI or if the patient was operated on with the intraoperative findings. In 25 disc the dorsal border of the disc could not be demonstrated by ultrasound. The statistical analysis resulted in the following values: [table: see text] Comparing these results with the results of other imaging modalities like myelography, CT, or MRI, ultrasound scores are significantly inferior.

With the present technique ultrasound does not seem to be of diagnostic value for patients with herniated disk.