Limbus Vertebrae as Incidental Finding in a Patient With Acute Lower Back Pain

Abstract

Limbus vertebra (LV) represents a marginal interosseous herniation of the nucleus pulposus, usually in the midlumbar region. It is generally diagnosed as an incidental radiological finding during investigation of a case presenting low back pain or lumbar radiculopathy symptomatology. In this article, we report a case of a 37-year-old male patient complaining of acute low back pain. Imaging revealed a bone defect on the anterosuperior edge of L3 vertebra, finding that was attributed to LV. A comprehensive literature review was conducted regarding LV that should be included in the differential diagnosis of imaging findings of vertebral end defects.