Metrizamide enhanced computed tomography: an adjunct to myelography in lumbar disc herniation.

In our opinion, computed tomography of the lumbar spine with intrathecal metrizamide is a highly effective diagnostic method for the demonstration of herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. However, the method is too expensive and too time-consuming to be employed routinely. We have used CT scanning immediately following a normal or equivocal metrizamide myelogram in patients with strong clinical suspicion of lumbar disc herniation. This approach combines the practicality of metrizamide myelography with the accuracy of metrizamide enhanced CT scanning, producing better diagnostic results.