Lumbar radiculopathy contralateral to upper lumbar disc herniation: report of 3 cases.

Three cases of lumbar radiculopathy contralateral to an upper lumbar disc herniation are reported. This clinical syndrome is explained on the basis of prominent spondylotic changes and stenosis contralateral to the side of disc herniation associated with anatomical anomalies of lumbar nerve roots. The disc herniation causes displacement and impaction of the dural sac with the emerging nerve roots in a narrowed lateral recess.