Discograms - Tell me about it :) - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

PearlDoves · 12-01-2006, 09:27 PM

I'd like it if someone could tell me more about discograms and their experience haveing one done...

SpineAZ · 12-01-2006, 11:54 PM

I had one done prior to my lumbar fusion surgery (way back in 1993). What I can tell you is that it was a relatively easy test - though it is not as simple as a CT or MRI. I was taken into a procedure room and given very light sedation (enough to help with any anxiety but not enough to render me unconscious). They need you to be conscious during the test so you can let them know what sensations, if any, you feel.

I was having a L5-S1 fusion and they had to test the disc at L4-L5 to see if it was healthy (or if the fusion needed to go higher). They inserted some type of probe and would ask me at various times if I felt anything (i.e. pain, numbness, etc).

Good news is that they found L4 to be healthy.....bad news is that the doctor had to do L4-S1 anyway since my vertebrae wouldn't cooperate with his efforts to insert the screws ;-)

I did not have one done for my neck, only for my lower back.

PearlDoves · 12-02-2006, 12:04 AM

can this cause problems to the disc by doing this? I mean I've read that some people have allergies to the dye and that there is risk of infection and such, but what about actual damage to the disc?

SpineAZ · 12-02-2006, 12:08 AM

Good question - my thought would be that if you have already had an MRI and the report shows that the disc is "ok" (meaning it's not totally blown or herniated beyond belief) that the discogram procedure won't further damage it and that a doctor would not do the discogram if there was any risk of further damage.

As with all procedures that you haven't had before there is a risk of allergic reaction, etc. But, since it is a known risk they will be prepared for it. I'd expect they'll ask you questions about any existing allergies you have since I believe some dyes/contrasts used are iodine based so they'll specifically ask you about any known iodine allergies.

PearlDoves · 12-02-2006, 12:14 AM

The test hasn't acutally been ordered or anything for me. But I've been thinking about it off and on lately, just because since my ACDF, above and below where it was done, I've had some interesting symptoms... nothing to be horribly worried about yet, but I have to wonder if my spine is a lot more unstable, even in the slightest sense of the word. I thought I read somewhere that sometimes MRI and such don't pick up everything sometimes, so if pain is still a complaint a discogram is sometimes used... I could totally be getting ahead of myself, I'm still recovering, but I'm just thinking ahead just in case... perhaps needlessly, but I appreciate yours and anybody elses input on the test because I haven't looked into what it actually was until recently.