[Technique and value of discography for the cervical syndrome (author's transl)]

Discography produces relatively many false pasitive findings. Their number, about 28% in our material, may be reduced decisively to below 10% when clinical, electro-physiologic and myelographic findings are considered together. It can be further reduced when results are judged in groups of varying value. Findings of high value are: 1) entry of the contrast fluid from the disc behind the posterior longitudinal ligament. 2) Exact reproduction of spontaneous pain during injection 3) The extension of a contrast band along the roots on the side and level of clinical findings. With such strict evaluation discographic findings are correct in 88%. In additon discography may be in certain cases the only method to elucidate a syndrome which clinically and in the myelogram permits various interpretations. Discography should always preceded operation. On the basis of 368 discographies with control of the diagnosis at operation its value is explained.