The meningovertebral ligaments as a barrier to the side-to-side migration of extruded lumbar disc herniations.


Published online: Dec 27 1992

R Scapinelli.

Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Padua, Italy.

Abstract

The hypothesis that side-to-side migration of an extruded lumbar disc herniation can be blocked or restrained by the presence of the ventral meningovertebral ligaments has been verified by the author by using the presently available methods of imaging of the spinal canal in vivo. The images obtained at levels L4-L5 and L5-S1 from nine patients showing this type of pathology and preoperatively assessed by transverse CT (eight patients) or MRI (one patient) seem to support the above assumption. These ligaments should not be confused with pathologic adhesions.

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