Non-corresponding radiological and surgical diagnoses in patients operated for sciatica.

One hundred and nine patients with radicular leg-pain underwent both computer-tomography and myelography and were subsequently operated upon. The diagnoses on computer-tomogram, myelogram and surgery failed to correspond in 41 cases. Stenosis of the bony spinal canal, scar formation, and an intra- or extraforaminal herniation were the most frequent causes of discrepancy in the diagnoses. In cases of spinal stenosis and previous disc surgery both computer-tomography and myelography have to be performed. Certain precautions taken during computer-tomography and myelography may reduce the number of discrepant findings.