Recognition of cervical soft disk herniation by contrast-enhanced CT.

Abstract

A large number of patients with suspected cervical disk herniation were examined by high-resolution computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast enhancement. Thirteen herniated disks have been diagnosed by this technique. The disk protrusion causes displacement and a resultant filling defect in the epidural plexus, which is visualized after contrast enhancement. In some cases not clearly diagnosable by this method or by conventional myelography, the combination of intrathecal metrizamide and CT was most valuable.