Inefficacy of routine laboratory analysis of CSF obtained during myelography for suspected disc disease

The routine laboratory analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) obtained during myelography is performed in many institutions. The records of 100 consecutive patients who had myelography for suspected disc disease were reviewed retrospectively. The laboratory analysis of the CSF obtained during myelography did not benefit patient management in any instance. In one case, the CSF results adversely affected patient management. The CSF analysis did not add any information to the myelogram result. The CSF protein level did not correlate in a statistically significant way with the degree of disc protrusion seen myelographically.