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Does discography injure normal discs? An analysis of repeat discograms.
1Robert H. Dedman Memorial Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.
Spine
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Diagnostic discography, a procedure to assess spinal disc health, showed no evidence of causing damage to healthy discs in this study. Repeated discograms confirmed disc integrity, reassuring for diagnostic safety.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Spinal Diagnostics
Background:
- Diagnostic discography is used to evaluate spinal disc pain.
- Concerns exist regarding potential iatrogenic damage to healthy discs from the procedure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether diagnostic discography causes damage to healthy lumbar intervertebral discs.
- To assess the safety and reliability of repeat discography findings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 34 patients who underwent repeat lumbar discography at 80 levels.
- Analysis of radiological findings between initial and subsequent discograms.
- Exclusion of confounding factors such as prior surgery or vertebral fractures.
Main Results:
- Out of 42 initially normal levels, 10 were reported abnormal on repeat (24%).
- Upon review, only one level showed true abnormality on the second discogram without clear cause.
- Radiologist error and confounding factors accounted for most discrepancies.
Conclusions:
- Diagnostic discography does not appear to cause damage to healthy intervertebral discs.
- Repeat discography is a reliable diagnostic tool when confounding factors are considered.
- The procedure is considered safe for evaluating discogenic pain.