[Magnetic resonance tomography studies with contrast media in post-discotomy syndrome]

The syndrome encompassing failed back-surgery is a relatively uniform combination of complaints caused by a variety of pathological changes in the lumbar spine, alone or in various combinations. The MRI's capability of detecting these factors is described. MRI can detect recurrent disc herniations and separate them from intradural and/or extradural scar formation. With further experience, MRI might also be able to assess instability of the lumbar spine motion segments. MRI is not very helpful in detecting neural lesions or facette syndromes. For this kind of pathology, advances in diagnosis will depend on the further improvement of neuro- and electrophysiological tests. The same applies to the diagnosis of cases of spinal stenosis. The size of the spinal canal can be measured by MRI as well as by other modalities. These results just point out the risk of disease - not the disease itself.