Computer tomographic evaluation of the lumbar syndrome in the degeneratively changed lumbar spine

Computed axial tomograms of the lumbar spine of 318 patients suffering from "sciatica" were studied retrospectively. In 66% of these substantial evidence of degenerative disease of the spine was present. This condition, if severe, may produce confusing scan data and consequently complicate the diagnosis of disc herniation. The phenomenon of posterior hypertrophic osteophyte formation being associated with disc herniation is discussed.