Atypical lumbar disc herniation: a case report.
BACKGROUND
This is a case report of a right posterolateral L5-S1 disc herniation that migrated to the left cephalad level to impinge on the left L5 nerve root as it exited the dura. The resultant free fragment migration is a rare variation of a posterolateral disc disruption.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose is to report a rare variation of lumbar disc herniation not previously reported in the literature.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
A 60-year-old white woman.


METHODS
Resolution of the patient's left lower extremity symptoms.


METHODS
Not applicable.


RESULTS
The patient experienced resolution of most of her left lower extremity symptoms after a slightly modified microscopically assisted lumbar hemilaminectomy, discectomy and nerve root decompression.


CONCLUSIONS
This is a rare right to left migration of a sequestrated disc herniation, which was effectively treated with surgery.
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45206, USA.
Barton R
BR
Branam
Jeffrey L
JL
Stambough
D017586:Diskectomy; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography