Presentation
Two weeks of lumbar pain with irradiation to the left L3-L4 nerve root territory.
Patient Data
There is a disc extrusion with cephalic migration at the left L3/4 foraminal/extra-foraminal zone causing impingement of the left L3 exiting nerve root.
L3/4: There is a broad-based disc bulge with an extruded component that extends into the left foraminal and extraforaminal zones with a superior migration causing impingement of the left L3 exiting root, which has been better demonstrated on the previous MRI.
Axial localization:
- central
- subarticular
- foraminal
- extraforaminal or lateral
- anterior
Most sizable disc herniations will occupy more than one zone.
Illustration by Dr Frank Gaillard
Case Discussion
This case illustrates an acute/subacute disc extrusion in a less common location: the foraminal and extra-foraminal zones (the latter also known as the lateral zone).