Extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations: CT demonstration of Sharpey's fibers avulsion.
Forty-seven extraforaminal lumbar disc herniations (EFLDH) accounting for 7% of all lumbar disc herniations encountered during the same period of time were reviewed. L3-L4 or L4-L5 disc was involved in 89% of the cases giving rise to a L3 or L4 nerve root compression. An abnormal motion of lateral bending with rotation of the trunk was found retrospectively in 60% of the patients. In 53% of all EFLDH a bony avulsion of the vertebral end-plate facing the herniation was demonstrated at the site of attachment of Sharpey's fibers. This study suggests that this previously undescribed bony change witnesses a special injury of the spine responsible for most EFLDH.
Bonneville
J F
JF
Department of Neuroradiology, University Hospital of Besançon, France.
Runge
M
M
Cattin
F
F
Potelon
P
P
Tang
Y S
YS
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology; D011859:Radiography; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots