Correlation of the water-soluble contrast myelogram with operative findings in lumbar disc lesions were carried out prospectively in 109 cases (130 discs) from April 1973 to August 1978.
We classified myelograms into five types in each views and operative findings of the discs into four types: normal, bulging, protrusion, and prolaps.
The number of false positive myelogram was 10 discs (7.7%) and false negative myelogram was 3 discs (2.3%). From the above it is no doubt that this method is more effective and accurate than the method with oil-based contrast medium.
We believe that A-P view reveals directions and size of herniation, oblique views reveal relation between root and disc and lateral functional views reveal grade of bulglng (degeneration) of discs.
