Anterior intervertebral disc herniations in children. Report of four cases.

Four boys with anterior lumbar disc herniations probably secondary to chronic trauma are reported. Anterior disc herniations may appear as separate lesions-as in our patients-or coexist with Scheuermann's disease. Although Scheuermann's disease, discitis and tuberculosis are regarded as the most common causes of intervertebral disc lesions in childhood, trauma should be excluded as a possible cause in all children with chronic back pain who show localised radiographic signs of narrowed disc spaces with erosive and sclerotic changes in the adjacent vertebrae. Localised mild platyspondly may be the result of abnormal, prolonged stress and early osteoarthritic changes are to be expected.