[Diagnostic imaging in suspected lumbar disk prolapse. A controlled comparison of myelography, CT and magnetic resonance imaging].

Eighty patients with monoradicular sciatica were examined by myelography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and all had subsequent surgery. The images were evaluated by a decision-analytic regret function. The largest amount of diagnostic information was gained from CT followed by MRI and myelography. Myelography was not significantly informative. The results suggest that CT or MRI should be the first choice examination in patients with suspected lumbar disc herniation.