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Cervical discography complications and clinical efficacy
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, North Carolina.
Spine
|October 15, 1993
Summary
Cervical discography has a 13% complication rate, including severe cases like quadriplegia. Its diagnostic value is questionable for guiding surgical treatment in patients with neck pain.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Spinal Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Cervical discography is used to diagnose the cause of neck pain.
- Assessing complications and clinical outcomes is crucial for evaluating diagnostic procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and severity of complications associated with cervical discography.
- To evaluate the clinical results of surgical interventions guided by discographic findings.
Main Methods:
- Review of 31 patients who underwent cervical discography.
- Analysis of complication rates and patient outcomes after surgery.
Main Results:
- 84% of patients experienced concordant symptomatology, indicating a positive test.
- A 13% overall complication rate was observed, including a case of myelopathy leading to quadriplegia.
- Surgical outcomes for patients treated based on discography were mixed, with 54% reporting fair or poor results.
Conclusions:
- Cervical discography carries significant risks and complications.
- The diagnostic value of cervical discography may not outweigh its potential harms for guiding surgical decisions.