Imaging features of posterior limbus vertebrae.

Posterior limbus vertebra (PLV) is the retropulsion of the vertebral ring apophysis resulting from disc herniation through posterior ring physis. Large PLV can cause spinal stenosis, and small PLV can be mistaken as intraspinal disc herniation. Although the clinical presentations were similar, the surgery was quite different. We had experienced preoperative misdiagnosed cases and the surgery could not be finished. Therefore we analyzed the imaging features of PLV in 34 patients in order to prompt appropriate preoperative diagnosis and surgical planning.