[Nondiscal sciatica without organic lesion]

Among 1 800 patients operated on for hernia of the disc, 2% were completely negative on surgical exploration. Since a psychiatric aetiology might be involved, these patients were again given physical examination, clinical psychiatric examination and a personality test (minimult). This psychometric examination yelded pathological results in 68% of these patients. A comparison with two control groups operated on for hernia of the disc permitted a distinction of statistically significant differences. The results are compared with similar studies by other authors on patients with lumbalgia and dorsalgia. A practical approach is defined.