Computed tomography in the diagnosis of herniated nucleus pulposus.

Abstract

The effectiveness of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing herniated nucleus pulposus was evaluated. Sixteen CT examinations interpreted as positive for a herniated disk and intraoperatively confirmed, were reviewed. In all 16 patients, CT demonstrated posterior protrusion of the disk and displacement of anterior epidural fat. Calcification within the protruding disk was noted in several patients. An extruded disk fragment was identified in 2. In all cases, the CT findings correlated closely with the surgical findings. Apparently, CT accurately demonstrates disk herniation.