Extreme lateral lumbar disc herniation classification
Foraminal lumbar disc herniation: Lumbar disc herniation at the lumbar intervertebral foramen, considered for some authors a type of extreme lateral lumbar disc herniation
Extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation: Lumbar disc herniation distal to the lumbar intervertebral foramen, considered for some authors a type of extreme lateral lumbar disc herniation
The term ‘far lateral’ applies to prolapse of a lumbar disc which compresses the nerve root at the same level 1) irrespective of whether it is in the intervertebral canal, at the foramen or further laterally.
Far lateral lumbar disc herniations (FLLDHs) can cause difficulty and differences in diagnosis and treatment compared with intraspinal herniation.
1)
Abdullah AF, Ditton EW III, Byrd EB, et al. Extreme-lateral lumbar disc herniations: clinical syndrome and special problems of diagnosis. J Neurosurg 1974;41:229-34.