Study design: A prospective comparison of MRI findings with surgical findings in patients presenting to our spinal triage service with a prospective diagnosis of a lumbar disc herniation.

Objective: To investigate consistency between radiologists interpretation of MRI scans, and comparison between MRI and surgical findings, in an attempt to identify those patients suitable for percutaneous treatment.

Background: MRI has assumed a preeminent position in the diagnosis of lumbar disc prolapse.

Methods: 87 consecutive patients presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of a lumbar disc prolapse that underwent an MRI and based on that a discectomy.

Results: Reliability tests show only fair agreement (k=0.36) between the radiologists and at best only moderate agreement (k=0.41) between the radiologists and surgical findings.

Conclusions: MRI is an excellent tool for diagnosis of a disc prolapse but does not appear to help in classifying discs suitable for percutaneous treatment.

Study design: A prospective comparison of MRI findings with surgical findings in patients presenting to our spinal triage service with a prospective diagnosis of a lumbar disc herniation.

Objective: To investigate consistency between Radiologists’ interpretation of MRI scans, and comparison between MRI and surgical findings, in an attempt to identify those patients suitable for percutaneous treatment.

Background: MRI has assumed a pre-eminent position in the diagnosis of lumbar disc prolapse.

Methods: 87 consecutive patients presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of a lumbar disc prolapse that underwent an MRI and based on that a discectomy.

Results Reliability tests show only fair agreement (k=0.36) between the Radiologists and at best only moderate agreement (=0.41) between the Radiologists and surgical findings.

Conclusion: MRI is an excellent tool for diagnosis of a disc prolapse. MRI is poor at defining the character of a disc prolapse, and does not appear to help in classifying discs suitable for percutaneous treatment.