[Discographic visualisation of lumbar disc herniations (author's transl)]

The myelographic diagnosis of lumbar disc herniations remains unclear in about 5% of the cases. When the clinical examination does not allow clear localisation of the segmental level of the lesion and symptomatology is atypical, discorgraphy may be the only procedure providing further diagnostic information. Very lateral as well as ventral disc herniations can thus be clearly demonstrated. Knowledge of both typical and atypical findings is, however, required to avoid false negative results.