UPPER LUMBAR-DISK HERNIATIONS

Specific features of upper lumbar disk herniations are reviewed based on data from the literature and from a retrospective study of 24 cases treated surgically between 1982 and 1994 (seven at L1-L2 and 17 at L2 -L3), Clinical manifestations are polymorphic, misleading (abdominogen ital pain suggestive of a visceral or psychogenic condition, meralgia paresthetica, isolated sciatica; femoral neuralgia is uncommon) and so metimes severe (five cases of cauda equina syndrome in our study group ), The diagnostic usefulness of imaging studies (radiography, myelogra phy, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) and results of s urgery are discussed, The risk of misdiagnosis and the encouraging res ults of surgery are emphasized.