title: Extreme elongation of the transverse processes of the fifth lumbar vertebra: an unusual variant.
abstract: The fifth lumbar vertebra has massive transverse processes that are continuous     with the pedicle and encroach the body of the vertebra. These processes are     mainly meant for the attachment of the iliolumbar ligament. With increasing age,     the iliolumbar ligament can undergo secondary degenerative changes such as     calcification, hyalinization, and myxoid degeneration. The authors present the     incidental discovery of extremely elongated transverse processes of the fifth     lumbar vertebra in a 45-year-old woman who underwent surgery for an     intervertebral disc herniation. We also propose a possible pathogenesis to     explain this rare condition and conclude that this unusual variant may be caused     by calcification of the iliolumbar ligament rather than a congenital anomaly.
authors.affiliation: Wonkwang University Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Iksan, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Ki Seong
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Eom
authors.forename: Tae Young
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seong Keun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000502:physiology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017586:Diskectomy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000379:methods; D008022:Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology