Volumetric analysis of cervical intervertebral discs: Reference values for interventional cervical disc procedures
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: MRI does not reliably identify symptomatic cervical discs, and normative cervical disc volumetrics remain poorly defined. Objective: To establish level-specific cervical disc volume norms after excluding non-intradiscal contrast flow and to compare volumes between pain-positive and pain-negative discs. Methods: This retrospective 10-year study analyzed cervical discograms with contained intradiscal filling; discs with epidural, vascular, or prevertebral extravasation were excluded. Injected volumes were recorded, and interlevel and pain-group comparisons were performed using ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U testing. Results: (range, 0.10 - 0.60 mL), with no significant differences across cervical levels. Pain-positive discs demonstrated higher injected volumes at C3/4, C4/5, C5/6, and C6/7 compared with pain-negative discs (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Cervical disc volumetrics are consistent across levels, with higher volumes noted in pain-positive discs at mid-cervical levels. These baseline values should be referenced for intradiscal injections to guide administered volumes and to help prevent disc overpressurization.
Source: Interventional Pain Medicine
Authors: Waleed Sultan, Jay Napolitano, William Lee, Fred DeFrancesch
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,400
OpenAlex ID: W7165804837