Presentation
Progressive right quadriceps weakness. Right leg pain.
Patient Data
Age: 60 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Foraminal and subarticular lumbar disc prolapse
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Right foraminal and subarticular disc prolapse at L3/L4. This effaces the fat around the L3 nerve root as it exits the neural foramen at L3-4.
L4-5 small central bulge. The canal and foramina are preserved.
L1 conus. Normal cauda equina.
From the case:
Foraminal and subarticular lumbar disc prolapse
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From intervertebral disc nomenclature. Illustration by Frank Gaillard.
Case Discussion
Small (easily missable) focal foraminal and subarticular disc prolapse.
The MRI study includes an axial T2 3D volume sequence, offering a higher resolution sequence to enable more refined assessment of the nerve roots, which is particularly useful in this case where the disc pathology is small, subtle and in a confined anatomical space.