[The value of diskography in disk-related pain syndrome of the cervical spine for evaluation of indications for spondylodesis].

In this study the postoperative results of patients with cervical spondylodesis for "discogenic pain syndrome" were evaluated. The diagnosis "discogenic pain syndrome" as well as the pathologic segments were confirmed by cervical discography. However interpretation of the discogram as "positive" was only considered reliable when typical pain provocation through discography correlated with pathologic disc pattern ("functional test"). 38 cervical segments have been found to fulfill these criteria and were fused in 29 operative procedures (21 unisegmental, 7 bisegmental, one trisegmental). The patients were evaluated postoperative for change of symptoms, pain character and intensity, neurological deficits, working and sporting disability and mobility of cervical spine. According to the criteria of Simmons and Segil 73% of the patients showed a good to excellent result. A fair result was found in 23.2% and an unsatisfactory result was seen in 3.8%. In the literature a good to excellent outcome is seen in 30 to 46% in similar patients groups after cervical fusion without preoperative assessment by discography.