Pitfalls in the computed tomographic evaluation of the lumbar spine in disc disease

Computed tomography (CT) is an effective non-invasive method of evaluating the lumbar spine in cases of suspected disc disease. In over a 3-year period in a high volume neuroradiologic practice we have observed a number of pitfalls in the diagnosis of herniated nucleus pulposus which may lead to erroneous conclusions and therefore, decrease the overall accuracy of the examination. These pitfalls, and their implications are presented and discussed.