Computed tomography (CT) is effective in the diagnosis of pain recurrency after surgical removal of herniated lumbar disc.

The authors analysed CT-scan with intravenous contrast infusion in 18 patients with recurrent pain after lumbar discectomy. CT showed in these patients the cause of recurrency with 100% accuracy, confirmed by reoperation. Contrast enhancement permitted differentiation of postoperative cicatrix from other causes of lumbar spinal canal stenosis. The authors point out that decision about reoperation should be based upon computed tomography examination.