Presentation
Low back pain and right sciatica
Patient Data
Sacralized L5 vertebra.
L4/5 degenerative disc changes seen as decreased hydration signal. It shows right paracentral disc protrusion with subligamentous extension. It is indenting the right ventral aspect of thecal sac and encroaching upon the corresponding neural recess and exit foramen, compressing the traversing L5 nerve root (best appreciated on sagittal T2 thin cuts).
Case Discussion
This case demonstrates focal degenerative disc changes with a disc herniation compressing the traversing nerve root at the corresponding neural recess. A disc protrusion is a type of disc herniation characterized by protrusion of disc content over a segment less than 25% of the disc circumference.