[Roentgen morphology following interventions of the lumbar intervertebral disk]

We compared x-ray films of 204 patients, evaluating plain radiographs, computer tomograms and myelographies. This study showed that plain radiographs serve as a guide, enabling to localise the level at which bone defects have occurred as a result of surgery. Conventional tomography is important for detecting changes associated with postoperative discitis. In about 50% of the patients, computed tomography enables satisfactory indication for a second intervention if used together with plain roentgenography and clinical examination. Myelography remains an indicated procedure if the disease pattern is not clear and if findings are ambivalent.