Diskogram, or discogram

A diskogram, or discogram, is an enhanced X-ray examination of the pads of cartilage (intervertebral disks) that separate the bones in your spine (vertebrae). During this procedure, dye is injected into the center of one or more disks, which makes the disks more visible on X-ray film.

A diskogram is used to detect structural damage in a disk and to help determine whether a disk is causing pain. The test can show if a disk has begun to rupture or has tears in its outer shell. By injecting fluid into the disk, the doctor can determine if the disk is painful.

Your doctor may also perform a computed tomography (CT) scan after a diskogram to assess physical changes in the disk.