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[Lumbar disk hernia in children and adolescents]
C Plangger1, I Mohsenipour, K Twerdy
1Universitätsklinik für Neurochirurgie, Innsbruck.
Zentralblatt Fur Neurochirurgie
|January 1, 1989
Summary
This study found that lumbar disc herniation in young patients (under 19) is rare but treatable. Surgical intervention for pediatric lumbar disc herniation yielded excellent outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pediatric Spine Surgery
Background:
- Lumbar disc herniation is uncommon in patients under 19 years old.
- Previous studies on pediatric lumbar disc herniation are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, surgical treatment, and outcomes of lumbar disc herniation in patients younger than 19 years.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 3,946 patients operated for lumbar disc herniation between 1980 and 1987.
- Analysis of 11 consecutive pediatric patients (age < 19).
- Diagnostic methods included water-soluble contrast myelography and computerized tomography.
Main Results:
- 11 patients (0.27%) were younger than 19.
- Radicular pain was present in 82%, and a positive straight-leg raising test in 90%.
- Trauma was related to symptom onset in 36% of cases.
- Unilateral partial hemilaminectomy was the primary surgical procedure (91%).
- All patients achieved good or excellent surgical outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Lumbar disc herniation in pediatric patients is rare but can be effectively treated with surgery.
- Surgical management, primarily hemilaminectomy, leads to favorable outcomes in this population.