Intervertebral disk disease

Neurologic dysfunction is the most common clinical manifestation of intervertebral disk disease. This article is a comprehensive review of intervertebral disk disease emphasizing clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of cervical and thoracolumbar disk disease. Clinical signs are determined by neuroanatomic localization and severity of spinal cord injury. Myelography is most commonly used for determining the location and extent of the disk protrusion/extrusion; however, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are also common adjunctive and primary diagnostic techniques. Summaries from recent studies will give the clinician an improved understanding on how to confront controversial issues regarding prophylactic and therapeutic management and prognosis.