Discography

Discography is a diagnostic test, proposed to diagnose the source of chronic back pain as coming from the disc itself (i.e., a diagnosis of discogenic pain) through two findings: a CT image aided by injection of contrast material to identify disc morphology or shape, and the provocation of pain by the injection that reproduces the pain typically felt by the patient.

Status: Decision completed

Why is discography being reviewed?

Controversy in using the test exists because the clinical importance of these two test results is unknown and there is significant evidence of false positive test results.

Primary criteria ranking

  • Safety = High
  • Efficacy = High
  • Cost = High

Documentation