Correlative anatomic and CT study of the lumbar lateral recess

The lumbosacral nerve roots and their relation to the lateral recess in the lumbar region were studied by computed tomography both in anatomic specimens from six cadavers and in vivo in 100 patients with or without disk herniation. The anatomic and tomodensitometric correlations are discussed. The normal morphology and contents of the lumbar spinal canal can be used as a guide to radiologic diagnostic exploration, which in turn can indicate the etiology and extent of lumbar sciatica and the course of treatment.