For fifty-five patients with acute low-back pain or radicular pain,
ascending lumbar venography was as accurate as myelography (86 per cent) in
localized herniation of a lumbar disc in surgically proved cases.
Myelography and lumbar venography are complementary diagnostic studies
which should be used together in doubtful cases. Lumbar venography is
easily performed is well-tolerated, and is relatively painless. It is not
associated with arachnoiditis and has a negligible complication rate.