title: [Diagnosis and operative treatment of far lateral lumbar disc herniation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the characteristics and operative selection of far lateral lumbar disc herniation (FLLDH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-three cases of FLLDH, 14 were foraminal, and 9 were extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation. Of the 23 cases, low back pain was observed in 8 cases (31%), severe lower leg pain in 21 cases (91%) and Lasegue sign in 10 cases (43%). CT and MRI showed the protruded disc in and outside of the foramen clearly. Three surgical procedures were performed, including hemilaminotomy with medial facetectomy, facetectomy with pedicle screw fixation and fusion with posteolateral bone grafting, and the transmuscular approaches.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two cases were followed up for an average of 3.6 years. According to the Macnab criteria, 15 patients achieved excellent results, good 4, fair 3 and poor 0. Excellent and good rate was 86%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The symptoms and signs of FLLDH mainly result from injury of upper nerve segments with the dominant symptom of severe lower leg pain. CT and MRI appearance are not only sensitive but also specific for the diagnosis of FLLDH. In foraminal lumbar disc herniation, the hemilaminotomy with medial facetectomy is recommended. While in extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation, either facetectomy with pedicle screw fixation and fusion with posterolateral bone grafting or transmuscular approaches for removal of nucleus pulposus can be chosen. Microendoscopic discectomy is a new, safe and efficient method for the disease, however, a skillful microendoscopic technique should be mastered prior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, Suzhou 215004, China. ShenYX@mail.szldbz.gov.cn
authors.forename: Yi-xin
authors.initials: YX
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Zu-gen
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Mao-hua
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Qi-rong
authors.initials: QR
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Xiao-zhong
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed