Discography of the spine - when it is necessary, how it is carried out, possible consequences

Discography of the spine - how it is performed, indications and contraindications

Discography of the spine is a diagnostic procedure of the latest generation, necessary for a full examination of patients with pathologies of the spinal column. Such problems cause severe pain, and patients suffer from these sensations for a long time. Unfortunately, not all modern diagnostic methods can accurately determine the cause of discomfort in the spine. And in this case, the procedure turns out to be the most informative.

Indications for spine discography

Most often, this procedure is prescribed when the patient complains of constant back pain of unknown etiology, which does not stop even in a state of complete rest. In which diseases is discography of the spine prescribed:

• hernias of the intervertebral space;
• abnormalities of the disk structure;
• compression fractures of the spine (even if such damage is suspected);
• infectious diseases of the spinal column;
• protrusions of the intervertebral space.

The procedure is often prescribed even with a clear diagnosis. For example, if there are all the signs of an intervertebral hernia. Before the surgeon starts working in the operating field, he needs to know all the details of the problem and determine his plan of action. Discography of the intervertebral discs before the operation will help to avoid unpleasant consequences and complications during the recovery period.

How the procedure is carried out

The preparatory stage involves the intravenous injection of an anesthetic drug - this will ensure a painless procedure for the patient. Then the patient is placed on the operating table on his stomach and local anesthesia is performed - analgesics are injected directly into the place where the procedure is to be performed.

How is discography of the spine performed:

• after anesthesia, the patient is punctured so that the needle enters the intervertebral space (disc);
• as soon as the goal is achieved, they begin to inject the contrast material;
• then the patient undergoes a tomography of the required area of ​​the vertebral column.

The procedure lasts an hour and a half. After it, the patient should rest and drink a lot of water during the first two days - this will allow the contrast agent to be removed quickly.

The results are described by a radiologist, then a surgeon or orthopedist draws conclusions about the expediency of surgical intervention. In many cases, patients manage to avoid surgery, because discography allows to determine the degree of pathological damage to the spine and make therapeutic appointments.

Who can't do the procedure

Diagnosis using the considered method is considered a rather serious and dangerous procedure. Therefore, doctors should take into account contraindications to spinal discography:

• increased intracranial pressure;
• allergy to contrast material;
• intolerance of drugs for local anesthesia;
• hyperthermia (increased body temperature), regardless of the cause;
• Pullular eruptions at the place of the supposed puncture.

It is worth noting separately the consequences that a patient can expect after performing a spinal discography:

severe headaches;
• bleeding at the puncture site;
• numbness at the puncture site and lower extremities (temporary);
• damage to nerve endings;
• infection of the intervertebral space.

Any questions about the spine discography procedure can be asked online or by phone. Contact details are listed on our website Dobrobut.com.