BACKGROUND CONTEXT: 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. PURPOSE: The purpose is to report a rare variation of lumbar disc herniation not previously reported in the literature. STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING: Case report. PATIENT SAMPLE: A 60-year-old white woman. OUTCOME MEASURES: 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.
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: 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. PURPOSE: The purpose is to report a rare variation of lumbar disc herniation not previously reported in the literature. STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING: Case report. PATIENT SAMPLE: A 60-year-old white woman. OUTCOME MEASURES: 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.