Which risk is associated with both thoracic and lumbar discography?

The risk associated with both thoracic and lumbar discography is pneumothorax. During thoracic discography, needle placement into the disc space can inadvertently puncture the pleura or lung, leading to pneumothorax. This is less of a concern in lumbar discography, where the needle is placed in a more distant location from the thoracic cavity. However, if a discography is done in the thoracic region, this risk is particularly pertinent.

Understanding the anatomy involved is crucial in recognizing this risk. The thoracic spine is close to the pleural lining, and an inadvertent needle stick can breach this lining, resulting in air entering the pleural space and causing pneumothorax. While factors such as infection, hematoma, and nerve damage are indeed potential risks with any interventional procedure, they are not specifically linked with both thoracic and lumbar discography in the same way pneumothorax is.

Infection, while a general concern with any invasive procedure, does not differentiate between thoracic and lumbar locations, and the associated risk is more broadly applicable rather than specific to the capabilities of the procedures. Hematoma is primarily a concern with vascular procedures or those affecting highly vascular anatomical regions rather than with discography