title: A posterolateral microsurgical approach to extreme-lateral lumbar disc herniation.
abstract: Extreme-lateral lumbar disc herniations present a surgical challenge because the conventional posterior approach requires bone resection for complete visualization of the pathology. The authors have identified constant anatomical landmarks in cadaveric dissections that facilitate access to the intervertebral foramen when combined with a posterolateral approach, as described by Watkins, for lumbar spinal fusion. The authors describe a technique that allows rapid localization and safe excision of these extreme-lateral lumbar disc herniations without the need for bone resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Neurology, National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, England.
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Crockard
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D004210:Dissection; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology