Herniation of the lumbar intervertebral disk in teenagers

Thirty-five teenagers treated for herniation of the lumbar intervertebral disk are reviewed. In almost all cases the subjective symptoms were very minor compared to the physical signs. Radiologic examination revealed a high incidence of lumbosacral anomalies and, less frequently, anomalies of the dural sac or nerve roots. Conservative treatment failed to improve the symptoms in all cases, while surgery and various closed techniques (chemonucleolysis, percutaneous diskectomy) were successful.