Nuclear magnetic resonance in the diagnosis of lumbar herniated disc.

The morphological study of lumbar herniated discs, aimed at ascertaining the appropriate type of surgical treatment to be used, is commonly based on the results of CT scan and/or radiculography, which are not without risks and disadvantages. An investigation of the pathological pictures of lumbar disc hernia obtained by N.M.R. and their comparison with those obtained by other methods shows that nuclear magnetic resonance is currently able to provide all the required information. In most patients, and especially young ones, it is possible to directly diagnose disc hernia with N.M.R. Radiculography is a more suitable method only in a small number of cases, namely, elderly patients with multiple discopathies which have been radiographically ascertained, and with atypical symptomatology.