[Ischias without intervertebral disk prolapse: the compression of lumbar nerve roots in the lateral recess of the spinal canal].

In some cases with the clinical and myelographic diagnosis of lumbar root compression due to disc herniation, exploration fails to reveal any lesion of the intervertebral disc. Sometimes the source of the root compression is found to be articular: process impingement in stenotic recessus lateralis of the spinal canal. Pathogenesis and surgical therapy of such lesion are discussed. It is suggested that in such cases radical exposure of the nerve root should be undertaken, even if it should prove necessary to sacrifice articular facets.