Trans-femoral lumbar epidural venography.

Epidural venography is a relatively simple, safe and highly accurate method of diagnosing lumbar disc herniations. Good opacification of the epidural venous plexus can be obtained by selective catheterization of the ascending lumbar vein or pre-sacral branches of the internal iliac veins. Experience with 100 cases of lumbar disc herniations is described. The authors think that epidural venography is a more sensitive technique than myelography, particularly with lateral disc herniation at the L5-S1 level. It is not associated with the morbidity or complications of myelography and can be performed as an outpatient procedure. Epidural venography is recommended as the examination of choice in patients with suspected lumbar disc herniation.