title: L5 root compression resulting from an L2-L3 disc herniation.
abstract: We present the rare case of a patient affected by low back pain and bilateral L5 sciatica from an L2-L3 herniation. Only 2 cases of monoradicular L5 compression in the high lumbar spine have been reported. The initial computed tomography study of the L4-L5 and L5-S1 spaces revealed no significant alterations. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a disc herniation at L2-3. The electrophysiological study confirmed clinical suspicions of L5 root involvement. A bilateral laminotomy with discectomy on both sides of the L2-3 space was performed. Pain disappeared completely after surgery. The patient remains asymptomatic 2 years after the operation.
authors.affiliation: Spine Service, Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Ubarmin and Virgen del Camino Hospital, Pamplona, Navarre, Spain. ahidalgo@cfnavarra.es
authors.forename: Angel M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Hidalgo-Ovejero
authors.forename: Serafín
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: García-Mata
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Sánchez-Villares
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lasanta
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Izco-Cabezón
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Martínez-Grande
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000209:etiology*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots