Malalignment of lumbar spine with lumbar PID (author's transl)]

In 322 cases of lumbar PID proved by myelography the radiologically recognizeable malalignment of the lumbar spine was related to site and direction of the prolaps. Scoliosis towards the side of the prolapse was seen in about 70 per cent. Scoliosis convex towards the normal side was significantly more common with right-sided than with left-sided prolapses. Scoliosis was the more pronounced the higher the site of prolapse. The degree of lumbar lordosis, too, appeared to depend on the level of prolapse. The lower the prolapse the less the lordosis. In the individual case one cannot draw any conclusions as to site or direction of a prolapse from radiologically detectable malalignment.