Computed tomography in the diagnosis of prolapsed intervertebral disc

In thirty-nine out of forty-one patients with radicular pain in the lumbar region, prolapse of the intervertebral disc could be diagnosed by computed tomography without intrathecal administration of contrast medium. In one patient a paravertebral tumour (malignant neurilemmoma) was found. One case could not be diagnosed by computed tomography. Myelographic findings in the patients corresponded with those of computed tomography, and the findings in CT scans made immediately after myelography. The technical requirements for non-invasive CT of the intervertebral disc are discussed.