title: Upper lumbar disk herniations.
abstract: Specific features of upper lumbar disk herniations are reviewed based on data from the literature and from a retrospective study of 24 cases treated surgically between 1982 and 1994 (seven at L1-L2 and 17 at L2-L3). Clinical manifestations are polymorphic, misleading (abdominogenital pain suggestive of a visceral or psychogenic condition, meralgia paresthetica, isolated sciatica; femoral neuralgia is uncommon) and sometimes severe (five cases of cauda equina syndrome in our study group). The diagnostic usefulness of imaging studies (radiography, myelography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) and results of surgery are discussed. The risk of misdiagnosis and the encouraging results of surgery are emphasized.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatology Department, Lyon South Teaching Hospital, Pierre-Bénite, France.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Cedoz
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Larbre
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lequin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Llorca
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012585:Sciatica / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery