[Diagnostic value of saccoradiculography and scanner in lumbar stenoses].

Radiculographic X-rays and CAT scans of 60 patients operated on for stenosis of the lumbar canal were analyzed separately and retrospectively by rheumatologists, a radiologist and surgeons working jointly, without knowledge of findings revealed by surgery. Comparison of findings with a detailed surgical report reveals that in the case of central lumbar canal stenosis, CAT scan provides a higher degree of reliability (72%) in diagnosis than does radiculography (56%). With lateral stenosis of the lateral cleft, reliability of both tests is identical (62%).