A correlation of the surgical and radiculographic findings in lumbar disc herniation.

The findings on plain radiographs and at water-soluble radiculography are compared with those at laminectomy in 50 patients with lumbar disc protrusions. Predictions of the level of disc protrusion based on the plain radiographic appearances could be made in 71%. Water-soluble radiculography accurately demonstrated 50 of 52 protrusions (96%). No abnormality was found at surgery at three other disc levels where equivocal radiculographic appearances failed to eliminate the possibility of disc protrusion. When all the levels examined surgically are included the water-soluble radiculogram was accurate at 57 levels out of 62 (92%). The immediate morbidity of radiculography is described and significant side effects were shown by 23% of patients.