Lumbar radiculopathy associated with anterior intraspinal bony lesions

Thirty-one patients underwent posterior decompression for anterior intraspinal bony lesions which were causing symptoms. The diagnoses were a displaced apophyseal endplate, vertebral corner bulge, and an ossified posterior longitudinal ligament or disc. Symptoms were caused by associated lumbar disc herniations or by gradual impingement by the bony lesion on neural tissue. The success rate after operation was 84%. Anterior spinal canal compromise by bony lesions can be treated by decompression through a posterior approach with minimal destruction of the laminae and facets.