Lumbar epidural venography in the diagnosis of disc herniations.

Epidural venography is a relatively simple and highly accurate method of diagnosing disc herniations in the lumbar region. Good opacification of the epidural venous plexus can be obtained by selective catheterization of ascending lumbar and/or internal iliac veins. Experience with 227 cases is described. The examination appears to be at least as accurate as myelography at the L4-L5 level and more reliable than myelography in cases of lateral disc herniations at L5-SI. Epidural venography is recommended as the examination of choice in patients with suspected lumbar disc herniation.