Unreliability of epidural venography in lumbar disc disease

Lumbar epidural venography has been compared with myelography and discography in 69 patients suspected of having nerve root compression from herniated lumbar intervertebral discs. Only 78% agreement occurred when venograms were interpreted as unknowns by two radiologists. Twenty-three percent of the venographic examinations were suboptimal, most of these in patients operated upon previously. False-negative venography occurred in 13%. Midline disc herniations were missed more often than lateral herniations.