[Value of high-resolution computed tomography in evaluating cervical herniated disks]

Previous difficulties in the diagnosis of cervical disk hernia were related to lack of non-invasive imaging techniques, but the gap has now been filled by CT scan imaging. A total of 442 patients with pains in neck, shoulder or arm were referred for a CT scan to exclude a cervical disk hernia. Of the group studied, 2% were found to have a herniated disk, 16% a lateral hernia and 9% combined lateral hernia-narrow cervical canal due to concomitant arthrotic changes. Assessment of correlation between CT scan images and myelographic and surgical findings indicated that CT scan imaging is a very precise, non-invasive method for investigation of cervical disk hernia.