Complications of cervical discography

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Infectious Disease

Background:

• Discography is an invasive diagnostic procedure used to evaluate spinal pain.
• Potential complications, though rare, require careful consideration and prompt management.

Observation:

• A patient undergoing cervical discography for shoulder-arm syndrome developed acute spondylodiscitis with prolonged symptoms.
• Another patient experienced sudden quadriplegia during discography, linked to disc fragments migrating into the spinal canal.

Findings:

• The first case suggests a likely bacterial etiology for post-discography spondylodiscitis.
• The second case highlights the risk of neurological compromise from iatrogenic disc herniation during discography.

Implications:

• These cases underscore the importance of sterile techniques and awareness of potential risks associated with discography.
• Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for managing severe neurological complications following the procedure.