Identical lumbar spinal disk pathology in twins (clinical presentation and review of literature).

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of similar pathology in identical twins is well recognized. Spinal pathologies have been suggested to have a genetic predisposition. Degenerative lumbar spinal disease is one of them, with low back pain as one of its common presentations. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a case of monozygotic twins presenting with lumbar disk herniation at same level, that is, L4/L5. Both the twins underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We believe such a scenario is a rare occurrence and does highlight a probable role of genetic factors, over and above the environmental factors, in lumbar disk pathology.