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Severely degenerated lower lumbar spine of
a 70–year–old man who a history of long–standing low back pain. This
sagittal section shows the L4–L5 and L5–SI spinal segments. At L4–L5
the disc is severely disrupted throughout its substance, showing
horizontal cleft formation, spondy– lotic rim osteophytosis and a
Schmorl–type intraosseous disc herniation. The lateral recess is
almost obliterated by the bulging of the disc and by the infolding
of the ligamentum flavum. At L5–SI disc degeneration is even more
severe, note the almost complete loss of disc space height. The hard
extruded outer annulus and the bulging ligamentum flavum compromise
the traversing SI root. The (black) epidural veins are engorged due
to their obstruction at two levels, there also is a severe
deformation of the thecal sac. |
©2000 Wolfgang Rauschning, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Clinical Anatomy
Academic
University Hospital
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Uppsala, Sweden
Reproduction without permission is prohibited
http://www.akademiska.se/
