An investigation of artefacts in lumbar discography

Abstract
An artefact of lumbar discography which can confuse or negate delineation of the nucleus pulposus is presented. This artefact is the inadvertent injection of contrast medium into a cavity which is not the true nuclear cavity. A positive diagnosis cannot be made in this situation, mormality can not be proven and, in particular, the presence of a protrusion of the nucleus through the annulus fibrosus may not be demonstrated. Hypotheses are proposed to explain the occurrence of these artefactual injections.

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