Management of Persistent or Recurrent Symptoms and Signs in the Postoperative Lumbar Disc Patient

Background: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) usually presents with lower extremity symptoms and signs, but rarely with bladder and bowel complaints. Here, we present a 61-year-old female who suffered solely from fecal incontinence (FI) attributed to a large LDH. Case Description: The patient presented with FI, but had a normal neurological examination. When the lumbar magnetic resonance imaging of showed a large central L5S1 LDH, the patient underwent an urgent diskectomy. Six months later, her symptoms had improved. Conclusion: Patients with large central LDHs may present with FI alone warranting urgent/emergent disc removal.

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The history of spinal surgery for disc disease: an illustrated timeline

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/s0004-282x2005000400030 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 63 (3a) ◽

pp. 701-706 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Igor de Castro ◽

Daniel Paes dos Santos ◽

Daniel de Holanda Christoph ◽

José Alberto Landeiro

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Surgical Treatment ◽

Spinal Surgery ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Disc Disease ◽

Precise Diagnosis ◽

History Of ◽

The Many ◽

Surgical Aspects ◽

Symptoms And Signs

This article presents the evolution in medical history which leads to the surgical treatment for ruptured discs. Only at the last century the precise diagnosis of a ruptured lumbar disc could be made after tremendous efforts of the many medical pioneers in the study of the spine. The experience gained with the lumbar spine was rapidly transferred to the cervical spine. We describe the evolution of the clinical and surgical aspects about ruptured discs in the lumbar and cervical spine. An illustrative timeline of the major events regarding the surgical treatment for ruptured disks is outlined in a straight forward manner. Our understandings of the relation between symptoms and signs and of that between anatomy and pathophysiology have led to more successful surgical treatment for this disease. Nowadays lumbar and cervical discectomies are the most frequent operations carried out by neurosurgeons. Our current care of patients with this kind of spinal disorders is based on the work of our ancient medical heroes.

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Hemi-Cauda Equina Syndrome from Herniated Lumbar Disc: a Neurosurgical Emergency?

Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Journal Canadien des Sciences Neurologiques ◽

10.1017/s0317167100038257 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 23 (4) ◽

pp. 296-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Ronald H.M.A. Bartels ◽

Joost de Vries

Keyword(s):

Urinary Retention ◽

Cauda Equina Syndrome ◽

Lumbar Disc ◽

Cauda Equina ◽

Leg Pain ◽

Motor Deficit ◽

Duration Of Symptoms ◽

Radiographic Findings ◽

Herniated Lumbar Disc ◽

Symptoms And Signs

AbstractBackground: We report experience with patients presenting with a specific combination of symptoms: unilateral sciatica, unilateral sensibility loss in the dermatomes SI to S5 (hemi-saddle) and subjective micturation problems secondary to ruptured lumbar disc. Because of its similarities with a cauda equina syndrome, this combination of symptoms was thought to be a unilateral cauda equina syndrome and it was called hemi-cauda equina syndrome. Consequently, it was treated as an emergency. Methods: Ten patients were evaluated. They compromised 2.3% of all patients undergoing lumbar discectomy. Results: Outcome is good with only 10% persisting minor neurologic deficit (sensibility loss in dermatomes S3 to S5). With the exception of urinary retention or incontinence, duration of symptoms and signs does not seem to influence outcome. Comparing signs, symptoms and radiographic findings with those of a cauda equina syndrome which were recently and thoroughly studied, they were found to be more severe in cases of cauda equina syndrome. Especially, the good outcome, (apparently unrelated to the duration of symptoms in cases of hemi-cauda equina syndrome) contrasted with the treatment results of cauda equina syndrome. Conclusions: We defined the hemi-cauda equina syndrome from ruptured disc as a combination of unilateral leg pain, unilateral sensibility loss in dermatomes SI to S5 and sphincter paralysis (proven urinary retention or incontinence). Motor deficit is not necessarily present. Emergency surgery is warranted. Patients presenting with micturation complaints other than urinary retention or incontinence do not suffer from a hemi-cauda equina syndrome.

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Questions and Answers

Guides Newsletter ◽

10.1001/amaguidesnewsletters.2000.marapr02 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 3-3

Author(s):

Christopher R. Brigham ◽

James B. Talmage

Keyword(s):

Nervous System ◽

Peripheral Nervous System ◽

Spinal Nerve ◽

Sensory Loss ◽

Residual Symptoms ◽

Additional Information ◽

Questions And Answers ◽

Motor Nerves ◽

Symptoms And Signs ◽

Limited Motion

Abstract Lesions of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), whether due to injury or illness, commonly result in residual symptoms and signs and, hence, permanent impairment. The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) describes procedures for rating upper extremity neural deficits in Chapter 3, The Musculoskeletal System, section 3.1k; Chapter 4, The Nervous System, section 4.4 provides additional information and an example. The AMA Guides also divides PNS deficits into sensory and motor and includes pain within the former. The impairment estimates take into account typical manifestations such as limited motion, atrophy, and reflex, trophic, and vasomotor deficits. Lesions of the peripheral nervous system may result in diminished sensation (anesthesia or hypesthesia), abnormal sensation (dysesthesia or paresthesia), or increased sensation (hyperesthesia). Lesions of motor nerves can result in weakness or paralysis of the muscles innervated. Spinal nerve deficits are identified by sensory loss or pain in the dermatome or weakness in the myotome supplied. The steps in estimating brachial plexus impairment are similar to those for spinal and peripheral nerves. Evaluators should take care not to rate the same impairment twice, eg, rating weakness resulting from a peripheral nerve injury and the joss of joint motion due to that weakness.

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