Abstract: OBJECTIVE Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were performed in patients with postoperative intervertebral space infection of lumbar disc herniation, in order to explore its value in the early diagnosis of the disease, so as to provide the basis for clinical treatment. METHODS A total of 21 cases of patients with postoperative intervertebral space infection of lumbar disc herniation from Jan. 2011 to Jun. 2014 were selected. MRI was used in all patients, and prompt and effective methods were taken for treatment after diagnosis. The patients were followed up for 2 years to analyze the characteristics of MRI diagnosis and to observe the therapeutic effect. The differences of white blood cells, C-reactive protein and blood sedimentation rate before and after the treatment were compared. RESULTS After an MRI scan, all patients with intervertebral space infection sites were L4-5 or L5-S1 lumbar intervertebral space, the sites of infection and lumbar disc disease sites were basically the same place. In 21 patients, 16 patients were single infection (76.2%), and 5 cases were multiple infection (23.8%). There were low signal intensity of T1 scan in all patients, and they were symmetrical, and were high signal intensity of T2, the main signs of which were disc rupture and vertebral endplate separation. After 2 years of follow-up, the clinical symptoms disappeared in 19 patients, accounted for 90.5%, compared with the situation before treatment, white blood cells, C-reactive protein and blood sedimentation of all patients after treatment were significantly lower, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Lumbar disc herniation in patients with intervertebral space infection by MRI examination of lesions can be fully displayed, and it is of high value in clinical diagnosis and differential diagnosis of early infection.