[Value of discography in disk punctures in bacterial spondylodiscitis].

26 discographic examinations were performed during puncture of 28 intervertebral disks for septic spondylitis. Discography assures the operator that the diagnostic needle is correctly inserted in the intervertebral disk, without destroying the causative microorganisms. But, in particular, this examination reveals the presence of lesions which often are not suspected within the vertebra or the adjacent soft tissue, and notably the presence of large and frequently occurring pyogenic abscesses. Because of this capacity, this test has a certain diagnostic value in case of recent spondylitis and with erosive disk disease. This simple and safe procedure, in our opinion, justifies its routine utilization at the same time as disk puncture is performed for bacteriological assessment of infectious spondylitis.