Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful for the diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy. However, because some cases present false normal or equivocal results, and several problems are also encountered in diagnosis, it is difficult to detect small herniated disc material, lateral lumbar canal stenosis, and disc hernia with lumbar canal stenosis on MRI. In order to achieve accurate diagnosis, it is first necessary to carefully read slices of the foramen with regard to asymmetry on parasagittal images. Secondly, other diagnostic radiologic studies (myelography, discography, computed tomography, etc) have to be performed whenever lumbar radiculopathy proves unequivocal. Myelography reveals nerve root compression, shortening, and enlargement, and in order to identify pathological nerve root, selective nerve root block should be performed. Plain computed tomography (CT) always clearly demonstrates the pathology, and CT is especially useful for bone material. CT-discography can more readily and accurately identify the enhanced herniated disc material. These radiologic studies, suggest that CT-discography is most useful for accurate diagnosis.
