Far lateral disc herniation evaluated by coronal magnetic resonance imaging: case series.

The extent of the slice thickness in spinal axial and sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is limited. We therefore, propose the idea of using coronal MRI to better delineate lumbar far lateral disc herniations. Six patients with coronal MR images who underwent surgery are presented in this study. Simple 2D vertebral column X-ray and MRI scans were used to diagnose the far lateral herniated disc. Intraoperative findings confirmed our preoperative MRI diagnosis in all patients. Recovery was excellent in all patients. In conclusion, coronal lumbar MRI, a simple and useful technique to reveal the nerve roots in foraminal and/or far lateral (extraforaminal) areas, is a must for accurate diagnosis of foraminal and/or far lateral lumbar disc herniations.