The lumbar disc and its imitators.

A review of the differential diagnosis of the lumbar disc syndrome, based on patients seen and treated during the past 10 years, provides discussion of the unusual cases. A survey of 285 patients treated in a consecutive series from 1964 to 1972 was done, which showed that 253 patients had prolapsed lumbar discs, 20 were treated for spondylolisthesis and 62 (23%) required consideration because of unusual features in association with the disc lesion or because of other pathology. The need for lateral and complete exposure of the nerve root in some instances is reaffirmed.