Far lateral lumbar disc herniations and associated structural abnormalities. An evaluation in 60 patients of the comparative value of CT, MRI, and myelo-CT in diagnosis and management.
The management of 60 patients with far lateral lumbar disc herniations operated on over a 5-year period are presented. These lesions were located superiorly within the neural foramens beneath or distal to the facet joints. The type of surgery performed in 43 of 60 (72%) of these patients was significantly altered by the presence of diffuse and lateral recess stenosis. This was better appreciated on the myelogram and myelo-CT (M-CT) studies than with the noncontrast CT and MRI examinations alone. Myelo-CT findings were particularly valuable in assessing patients who had previous surgical procedures.
Department of Surgery, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York.
N E
NE
Epstein
J A
JA
Epstein
R
R
Carras
R A
RA
Hyman
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D012086:Reoperation; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed