Lumbar disc protrusion in children

Robert G. Fisher M.D., Ph.D.1 and Richard L. Saunders M.D.1
View More View Less
  • 1 Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-Rutgers Medical School, Piscataway, New Jersey, and Section of Neurosurgery, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, New Hampshire
Page Range:
480–483
Volume/Issue:
Volume 54: Issue 4
DOI link:
https://doi.org/10.3171/jns.1981.54.4.0480
Restricted access

Purchase Now

USD  $45.00

JNS + Pediatrics - 1 year subscription bundle (Individuals Only)

USD  $515.00

JNS + Pediatrics + Spine - 1 year subscription bundle (Individuals Only)

USD  $612.00
Click here for subscription options

  • Purchase Now

    USD  $45.00

  • JNS + Pediatrics - 1 year subscription bundle (Individuals Only)

    USD  $515.00

  • JNS + Pediatrics + Spine - 1 year subscription bundle (Individuals Only)

    USD  $612.00
Print or Print + Online

✓ Forty-three cases of surgically treated lumbar disc protrusion in patients 21 years or younger are analyzed. The results were generally good. Ten percent of the patients required reoperation within 3 years. No major complications were experienced. Follow-up observation ranged from 4 to 30 years. Disc protrusion should be considered in the differential diagnosis of children with back and sciatic pain, and early myelography should be carried out in the refractory case. The symptoms, signs, myelograms, and surgical findings are usually similar to those of the adult patient with a disc protrusion.

Volume 54: Issue 4 (Apr 1981)

in Journal of Neurosurgery
Cover Journal of Neurosurgery

JNS + Pediatrics - 1 year subscription bundle (Individuals Only)

USD  $515.00

JNS + Pediatrics + Spine - 1 year subscription bundle (Individuals Only)

USD  $612.00
Click here for subscription options

  • JNS + Pediatrics - 1 year subscription bundle (Individuals Only)

    USD  $515.00

  • JNS + Pediatrics + Spine - 1 year subscription bundle (Individuals Only)

    USD  $612.00
Print or Print + Online
  • 1.

    Ambrus L, & Papatheodorou C: Trauma and lumbar disc herniation in childhood. Calif Med 119(4):66–68, 1973 Ambrus L, Papatheodorou C: Trauma and lumbar disc herniation in childhood. Calif Med 119(4):66–68, 1973

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 2.

    Beks JWF, & ter Weeme CA: Herniated lumbar discs in teenagers. Acta Neurochir 31:195–199, 1975 Beks JWF, ter Weeme CA: Herniated lumbar discs in teenagers. Acta Neurochir 31:195–199, 1975

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 3.

    Bidwell REG, & Whittaker CK: Herniated nucleus pulposus in a 10-year-old girl. Mo Med 65:113–115, 1968 Bidwell REG, Whittaker CK: Herniated nucleus pulposus in a 10-year-old girl. Mo Med 65:113–115, 1968

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 4.

    Børgesen SE, & Vang PS: Herniation of the lumbar intervertebral disk in children and adolescents. Acta Orthop Scand 45:540–549, 1974 Børgesen SE, Vang PS: Herniation of the lumbar intervertebral disk in children and adolescents. Acta Orthop Scand 45:540–549, 1974

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 5.

    Bradford DS, & Garcia A: Herniations of the lumbar intervertebral disk in children and adolescents. A review of 30 surgically treated cases. JAMA 210:2045–2051, 1969 Bradford DS, Garcia A: Herniations of the lumbar intervertebral disk in children and adolescents. A review of 30 surgically treated cases. JAMA 210:2045–2051, 1969

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 6.

    Bradford DS, & Garcia A: Lumbar intervertebral disk herniations in children and adolescents. Orthop Clin North Am 2(2):583–593, 1971 Bradford DS, Garcia A: Lumbar intervertebral disk herniations in children and adolescents. Orthop Clin North Am 2(2):583–593, 1971

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 7.

    Brown HA, & Pont ME: Disease of lumbar discs. Ten years of surgical treatment. J Neurosurg 20:410–417, 1963 Brown HA, Pont ME: Disease of lumbar discs. Ten years of surgical treatment. J Neurosurg 20:410–417, 1963

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 8.

    Bulos S: Herniated intervertebral lumbar disc in the teenager. J Bone Joint Surg (Br) 55:273–278, 1973 Bulos S: Herniated intervertebral lumbar disc in the teenager. J Bone Joint Surg (Br) 55:273–278, 1973

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 9.

    Daschner F, , Förster C, & Leheta F: [Prolapsed intervertebral disc in childhood.] Dtsch Med Wochenschr 96:544–546, 1971 (Ger) Daschner F, Förster C, Leheta F: [Prolapsed intervertebral disc in childhood.] Dtsch Med Wochenschr 96:544–546, 1971 (Ger)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 10.

    Day PL: The teenage disc syndrome, South Med J 60:247–250, 1967 Day PL: The teenage disc syndrome, South Med J 60:247–250, 1967

  • 11.

    Doyle JR: Narrowing of the intervertebral-disc space in children. Presumably an infectious lesion of the disc. J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 42:1191–1200, 1960 Doyle JR: Narrowing of the intervertebral-disc space in children. Presumably an infectious lesion of the disc. J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 42:1191–1200, 1960

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 12.

    Epstein JA, & Lavine LS: Herniated lumbar intervertebral discs in teen-age children. J Neurosurg 21:1070–1075, 1964 Epstein JA, Lavine LS: Herniated lumbar intervertebral discs in teen-age children. J Neurosurg 21:1070–1075, 1964

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 13.

    Ettinger WH Jr, , Arnett FC Jr, & Stevens MB: Intervertebral disc space infection: another low back syndrome of the young. Johns Hopkins Med J 141:23–27, 1977 Ettinger WH Jr, Arnett FC Jr, Stevens MB: Intervertebral disc space infection: another low back syndrome of the young. Johns Hopkins Med J 141:23–27, 1977

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 14.

    Fernström U: Protruded lumbar intervertebral disc in children. Report of a case and review of the literature. Acta Chir Scand 111:71–79, 1956 Fernström U: Protruded lumbar intervertebral disc in children. Report of a case and review of the literature. Acta Chir Scand 111:71–79, 1956

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 15.

    Fusek I: [The clinical picture and the clinical findings in lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in adolescents]. Cesk Neurol 33:199–202, 1970 (Cze) Fusek I: [The clinical picture and the clinical findings in lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in adolescents]. Cesk Neurol 33:199–202, 1970 (Cze)

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 16.

    Garrido E, , Humphreys RP, & Hendrick EB, et al: Lumbar disc disease in children. Neurosurgery 2:22–26, 1978 Garrido E, Humphreys RP, Hendrick EB, et al: Lumbar disc disease in children. Neurosurgery 2:22–26, 1978

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 17.

    Gurdjian ES, , Webster JE, & Ostrowski AZ, et al: Herniated lumbar intervertebral discs—an analysis of 1176 operated cases. J Trauma 1:158–176, 1961 Gurdjian ES, Webster JE, Ostrowski AZ, et al: Herniated lumbar intervertebral discs—an analysis of 1176 operated cases. J Trauma 1:158–176, 1961

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 18.

    Jayson MIV, , Herbert CM, & Barks JS: Intervertebral discs: nuclear morphology and bursting pressures. Ann Rheum Dis 32:308–315, 1973 Jayson MIV, Herbert CM, Barks JS: Intervertebral discs: nuclear morphology and bursting pressures. Ann Rheum Dis 32:308–315, 1973

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 19.

    Key JA: Intervertebral-disc lesions in children and adolescents. J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 32:97–102, 1950 Key JA: Intervertebral-disc lesions in children and adolescents. J Bone Joint Surg (Am) 32:97–102, 1950

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 20.

    King AB: Personal communication, 1977 King AB: Personal communication, 1977

  • 21.

    King AB: Surgical removal of a ruptured intervertebral disc in early childhood. J Pediatr 55:57–62, 1959 King AB: Surgical removal of a ruptured intervertebral disc in early childhood. J Pediatr 55:57–62, 1959

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 22.

    Knutsson B, & Wiberg G: On surgically treated herniated intervertebral discs. Acta Orthop Scand 28:108–123, 1958 Knutsson B, Wiberg G: On surgically treated herniated intervertebral discs. Acta Orthop Scand 28:108–123, 1958

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 23.

    Kobrine A, & Bucy PC: Spondylolisthesis following lumbar disc surgery in a child. Case report. J Neurosurg 34:563–568, 1971 Kobrine A, Bucy PC: Spondylolisthesis following lumbar disc surgery in a child. Case report. J Neurosurg 34:563–568, 1971

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 24.

    Lippitt AB: Fracture of a vertebral body end plate and disk protrusion causing subarachnoid block in an adolescent. Clin Orthop 116:112–115, 1976 Lippitt AB: Fracture of a vertebral body end plate and disk protrusion causing subarachnoid block in an adolescent. Clin Orthop 116:112–115, 1976

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 25.

    Love JG: The disc factor in low-back pain with or without sciatica. J Bone Joint Surg 29:438–447, 1947 Love JG: The disc factor in low-back pain with or without sciatica. J Bone Joint Surg 29:438–447, 1947

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 26.

    Love JG, & Camp JD: Root pain resulting from intraspinal protrusion of intervertebral disc: diagnosis and surgical treatment. J Bone Joint Surg 19:776–804, 1937 Love JG, Camp JD: Root pain resulting from intraspinal protrusion of intervertebral disc: diagnosis and surgical treatment. J Bone Joint Surg 19:776–804, 1937

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 27.

    Lowrey JJ: Dislocated lumbar vertebral epiphysis in adolescent children. Report of three cases. J Neurosurg 38:232–234, 1973 Lowrey JJ: Dislocated lumbar vertebral epiphysis in adolescent children. Report of three cases. J Neurosurg 38:232–234, 1973

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 28.

    MacGee EE: Protruded lumbar disc in a 9-year-old boy. J Pediatr 73:418–419, 1968 MacGee EE: Protruded lumbar disc in a 9-year-old boy. J Pediatr 73:418–419, 1968

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 29.

    Mainzer F: Herniation of the nucleus pulposus. A rare complication of intervertebral-disk calcification in children. Radiology 107:167–170, 1973 Mainzer F: Herniation of the nucleus pulposus. A rare complication of intervertebral-disk calcification in children. Radiology 107:167–170, 1973

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 30.

    Mandell AJ: Lumbosacral intervertebral disc disease in children. Calif Med 93:307–308, 1960 Mandell AJ: Lumbosacral intervertebral disc disease in children. Calif Med 93:307–308, 1960

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 31.

    Matson DD: Neurosurgery of Infancy and Childhood. Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas, 1969, 934 pp Matson DD: Neurosurgery of Infancy and Childhood. Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas, 1969, 934 pp

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 32.

    Mixter WJ, & Barr JS: Rupture of the intervertebral disc with involvement of the spinal canal. N Engl J Med 211:210–215, 1934 Mixter WJ, Barr JS: Rupture of the intervertebral disc with involvement of the spinal canal. N Engl J Med 211:210–215, 1934

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 33.

    Nashold BS, & Hrubec Z: Lumbar Disc Disease: A Twenty-Year Clinical Follow-up Study. St Louis: CV Mosby, 1971, 139 pp Nashold BS, Hrubec Z: Lumbar Disc Disease: A Twenty-Year Clinical Follow-up Study. St Louis: CV Mosby, 1971, 139 pp

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 34.

    Nelson CL, & Janecki CJ: Disk protrusion in the young. Clin Orthop 88:142–150, 1972 Nelson CL, Janecki CJ: Disk protrusion in the young. Clin Orthop 88:142–150, 1972

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 35.

    O'Connell JEA: Intervertebral disk protrusions in childhood and adolescence. Br J Surg 47:611–616, 1960 O'Connell JEA: Intervertebral disk protrusions in childhood and adolescence. Br J Surg 47:611–616, 1960

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 36.

    Pease CN: Injuries to the vertebrae and intervertebral disks following lumbar puncture. Am J Dis Child 49:849–860, 1935 Pease CN: Injuries to the vertebrae and intervertebral disks following lumbar puncture. Am J Dis Child 49:849–860, 1935

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 37.

    Raaf J: Some observations regarding 905 patients operated upon for protruded lumbar intervertebral disc. Am J Surg 97:388–399, 1959 Raaf J: Some observations regarding 905 patients operated upon for protruded lumbar intervertebral disc. Am J Surg 97:388–399, 1959

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 38.

    Rand RW, & Rand CW: Intraspinal Tumors of Childhood. Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas, 1960, 560 pp Rand RW, Rand CW: Intraspinal Tumors of Childhood. Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas, 1960, 560 pp

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 39.

    Rugtveit A: Juvenile lumbar disc herniations. Acta Orthop Scand 37:348–356, 1966 Rugtveit A: Juvenile lumbar disc herniations. Acta Orthop Scand 37:348–356, 1966

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 40.

    Schoter I, & Entzian W: Lumbar disc protrusion in childnood and adolescence, in Bonica JJ (ed): International Symposium on Pain. Advances in Neurology, Vol 4, 1977, pp 12–17 Schoter I, Entzian W: Lumbar disc protrusion in childnood and adolescence, in Bonica JJ (ed): International Symposium on Pain. Advances in Neurology, Vol 4, 1977, pp 12–17

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 41.

    Spurling RG: Lesions of the Lumbar Intervertebral Disc, with Special Reference to Rupture of the Annulus Fibrosus with Herniation of the Nucleus Pulposus. Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas, 1953, 148 pp Spurling RG: Lesions of the Lumbar Intervertebral Disc, with Special Reference to Rupture of the Annulus Fibrosus with Herniation of the Nucleus Pulposus. Springfield, Ill: Charles C Thomas, 1953, 148 pp

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 42.

    Stenstrom R, & Alanko A: Lumbar disc herniation in children. Orthop Digest Sept 1977, pp 15–21 Stenstrom R, Alanko A: Lumbar disc herniation in children. Orthop Digest Sept 1977, pp 15–21

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 43.

    Van Driest JJ, & Maxwell HP: Central lumbar disk simulating cauda equina tumor occurring in a twelve year old boy with dyschondroplasia. Wis Med J 51:374–375, 1952 Van Driest JJ, Maxwell HP: Central lumbar disk simulating cauda equina tumor occurring in a twelve year old boy with dyschondroplasia. Wis Med J 51: 374–375, 1952

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 44.

    Verger P, , Pouyaune H, & Riemans V, et al: Sciatique par hernie discale chez deux filles de 14 et 12 ans. Arch Fr Pediatr 27:554, 1970 Verger P, Pouyaune H, Riemans V, et al: Sciatique par hernie discale chez deux filles de 14 et 12 ans. Arch Fr Pediatr 27:554, 1970

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 45.

    Wahren H: Herniated nucleus pulposus in a child of twelve years. Acta Orthop Scand 16:40–42, 1945 Wahren H: Herniated nucleus pulposus in a child of twelve years. Acta Orthop Scand 16:40–42, 1945

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 46.

    Webb JH, , Svien HJ, & Kennedy RLJ: Protruded lumbar intervertebral disks in children. JAMA 154:1153–1154, 1954 Webb JH, Svien HJ, Kennedy RLJ: Protruded lumbar intervertebral disks in children. JAMA 154:1153–1154, 1954

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 47.

    Weiss SR, & Raskind R: The teen-age “lumbar-disk syndrome.” Int Surg 49:528–533, 1968 Weiss SR, Raskind R: The teen-age “lumbar-disk syndrome.” Int Surg 49:528–533, 1968

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

Metrics

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 386 95 7
Full Text Views 200 1 0
PDF Downloads 104 2 0
EPUB Downloads 0 0 0