MR and CT diskographic-anatomic correlations for better understanding of degenerative abnormalities affecting intervertebral disks

In this paper MR imaging has effectively demonstrated intervertebral disk degeneration but is less sensitive than diskography for detecting tears in the annulus fibrosus. CT has become the standard imaging method for diskography and scientific modifications are necessary if MR imaging is to be used for this purpose. MR and CT diskography were performed in the same cadaveric lumbar spines. Pre- and postinjection MR and CT images were obtained in the axial and sagittal planes. Diskography was performed via the anterior approach with both superior and inferior intradiskal injections. Gd-DTPA was diluted 1:500 with Omnipaque 300. Fast green dye (0.6 mg/mL) was also added to produce a three-component contrast medium. The spines were then sectioned with a cryomicrotome (Rauschning technique) in the sagittal or axial plane