Pneumatic nerve root compression: epidural gas in association with lateral disc herniation

1994 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa M. Cheng ◽  
Michael J. Link ◽  
Burton M. Onofrio
Keyword(s):  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Chronic Back Pain ◽  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Nerve Root Compression ◽  
Disc Space ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lumbar Nerve Root ◽  
Epidural Gas

✓ Extreme lateral disc herniations are increasingly recognized as a cause of lumbar nerve root compression syndromes. This disorder often presents major diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, especially in the presence of multiple degenerative changes and chronic back pain in elderly patients. The authors describe two patients with presentations and findings that have not been previously described in the literature. Both patients had histories of upper lumbar back and leg pain. Degenerative spine disease, gaseous degeneration of the intervertebral discs, and epidural gas in the lateral recesses were noted on imaging studies. However, because both patients had undergone prior epidural diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, the epidural gas in the lateral recesses could be attributed either to gaseous disc degeneration or to the previous intraspinal procedures. One patient was found to have a large, far lateral extruded disc fragment that contained air. The nerve root in the second patient was impaled by an unusual combination of a small extruded disc fragment as well as an air-filled sac that was surrounded by the walled-off fragment's capsule and which freely communicated with the gaseous degenerated disc space. The suspected mechanism of root compression is illustrated and discussed. The possibility of disc herniation should be seriously considered in cases of nerve root compression in which epidural gas is present, especially those associated with gaseous degenerated discs.

The femoral stretching test

1982 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 813-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Estridge ◽  
Stanley A. Rouhe ◽  
Neil G. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Lumbar Disc Herniation ◽  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Nerve Root Compression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lumbar Nerve Root ◽  
Upper Lumbar Disc Herniation ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The femoral stretching test is a valuable sign in diagnosing upper lumbar nerve root compression. We believe that it has the same significance for upper lumbar disc herniation as the sciatic stretching test has for the lower.

Lumbar nerve root compression at the intervertebral foramina caused by arthritis of the posterior facets

1973 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 362-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph A. Epstein ◽  
Bernard S. Epstein ◽  
Leroy S. Lavine ◽  
Robert Carras ◽  
Alan D. Rosenthal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Root ◽  
Herniated Disc ◽  
Nerve Root Compression ◽  
Degenerative Arthritis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lumbar Nerve Root ◽  
Intervertebral Foramina ◽  
Pain Patients ◽  
Unusual Stress ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The authors report their experience with 12 cases in which the roots of the sciatic nerve were compressed at the intervertebral foramina by degenerative arthritis (arthrosis) of the posterior facets, and in which foraminotomy and facetectomy brought relief of pain. Patients with disc narrowing, spondylolisthesis, and transitional vertebrae place unusual stress on the posterior facets. This may lead to hypertrophy and the development of marginal osteophytes that project downward with eventual constriction of the intervertebral foramen and entrapment of the nerve root. Such alterations are common in patients over 40, and when found in the presence of unremitting sciatic pain without evidence of a herniated disc or other etiology, a causal relationship must be considered.

Lumbar nerve root compression by synovial cysts of the ligamentum flavum

1984 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 617-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adel F. Abdullah ◽  
Robert W. Chambers ◽  
Dennis P. Daut
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Root ◽  
Ligamentum Flavum ◽  
Nerve Root Compression ◽  
Nerve Roots ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lumbar Nerve Root ◽  
Synovial Cysts ◽  
Fine Print

✓ Synovial cysts of the ligamentum flavum, measuring 1 cm in diameter, caused compression of the lumbar nerve roots in four patients. The authors discuss the association of these cysts with advanced focal spondylosis, and speculate on their etiology.

Cystometry as an adjunct in the evaluation of lumbar disc syndromes

1970 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hubert L. Rosomoff ◽  
John D. H. Johnston ◽  
Anthony E. Gallo ◽  
Mario Ludmer ◽  
Frederick T. Givens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Root ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Nerve Root Compression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sensory Deficits ◽  
Lumbar Nerve Root ◽  
Neurophysiological Mechanisms ◽  
Somatic Nervous System ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Bladder Evaluation

✓ One hundred patients with the provisional diagnosis of nerve root compression in the lumbar spine were subjected to routine bladder evaluation by cystometry in addition to the standard somatic neurological examination. Eighty-three were found to have cystometrograms characteristic of bladder hypofunction. Residual urine was found in 20% of the 100 patients. By contrast, the examination of the somatic nervous system disclosed sensory deficits in 36%, weakness in 59%, reflex alterations in 66%, and positive sciatic-stretch tests in 69%. Almost all cystometric studies (96%) became normal after successful surgical or conservative therapy. It is concluded that occult bladder dysfunction is a major manifestation of lumbar nerve root compression. The neurophysiological mechanisms involved are discussed in detail.

scholarly journals Prognostic value of magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients with sciatica

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 978-985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelilah el Barzouhi ◽  
Annemieke J. H. Verwoerd ◽  
Wilco C. Peul ◽  
Arianne P. Verhagen ◽  
Geert J. Lycklama à Nijeholt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Prognostic Value ◽  
Pain Severity ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Herniated Disc ◽  
Nerve Root Compression ◽  
Conservative Care ◽  
Satisfactory Outcome

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the prognostic value of MRI variables to predict outcome in patients with herniated disc–related sciatica, and whether MRI could facilitate the decision making between early surgery and prolonged conservative care in these patients. METHODS A prospective observational evaluation of patients enrolled in a randomized trial with 1-year follow-up was completed. A total of 283 patients with sciatica who had a radiologically confirmed disc herniation were randomized either to surgery or to prolonged conservative care with surgery if needed. Outcome measures were recovery and leg pain severity. Recovery was registered on a 7-point Likert scale. Complete/near complete recovery was considered a satisfactory outcome. Leg pain severity was measured on a 0- to 100-mm visual analog scale. Multiple MRI characteristics of the degenerated disc herniation were independently scored by 3 spine experts. Cox models were used to study the influence of MRI variables on rate of recovery, and linear mixed models were used to determine the predictive value of MRI variables for leg pain severity during follow-up. The interaction of each MRI predictor with treatment allocation was tested. There were no study-specific conflicts of interest. RESULTS Baseline MRI variables associated with less leg pain severity were the reader's assessment of presence of nerve root compression (p < 0.001), and assessment of extrusion compared with protrusion of the disc herniation (p = 0.006). Both variables tended to be associated, but not significantly, with satisfactory outcome during follow-up (HR 1.45, 95% CI 0.93–2.24, and HR 1.24, 95% CI 0.96–1.61, respectively). The size of disc herniation at baseline was not associated with outcome. There was no significant change in the effects between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS MRI assessment of the presence of nerve root compression and extrusion of a herniated disc at baseline was associated with less leg pain during 1-year follow-up, irrespective of a surgical or conservative treatment. MRI findings seem not to be helpful in determining which patients might fare better with early surgery compared with a strategy of prolonged conservative care. Clinical trial registration no.: ISRCTN26872154 (controlled-trials.com)

Neurovascular structures adjacent to the lumbar intervertebral discs: an anatomical study of their morphometry and relationships

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 630-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Arslan ◽  
Ayhan Cömert ◽  
Halil İbrahim Açar ◽  
Mevci Özdemir ◽  
Alaittin Elhan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Root ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Anatomical Study ◽  
Intervertebral Discs ◽  
Nerve Roots ◽  
Disc Space ◽  
Anatomical Knowledge ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Right ◽  
Neurovascular Structures

Object Although infrequent, injury to adjacent neurovascular structures during posterior approaches to lumbar intervertebral discs can occur. A detailed anatomical knowledge of relationships may decrease surgical complications. Methods Ten formalin-fixed male cadavers were used for this study. Posterior exposure of the lumbar thecal sac, nerve roots, pedicles, and intervertebral discs was performed. To identify retroperitoneal structures at risk during posterior lumbar discectomy, a transabdominal retroperitoneal approach was performed, and observations were made. The distances between the posterior and anterior edges of the lumbar intervertebral discs were measured, and the relationships between the disc space, pedicle, and nerve root were evaluated. Results For right and left sides, the mean distance from the inferior pedicle to the disc gradually increased from L1–2 to L4–5 (range 2.7–3.8 mm and 2.9–4.5 mm for right and left side, respectively) and slightly decreased at L5–S1. For right and left sides, the mean distance from the superior pedicle to the disc was more or less the same for all disc spaces (range 9.3–11.6 mm and 8.2–10.5 mm for right and left, respectively). The right and left mean disc-to-root distance for the L3–4 to L5–S1 levels ranged from 8.3 to 22.1 mm and 7.2 to 20.6 mm, respectively. The root origin gradually increased from L-1 to L-5. The right and left nerve root–to-disc angle gradually decreased from L-3 to S-1 (range 105°–110.6° and 99°–108°). Disc heights gradually increased from L1–2 to L5–S1 (range 11.3–17.4 mm). The mean distance between the anterior and posterior borders of the intervertebral discs ranged from 39 to 46 mm for all levels. Conclusions To avoid neighboring neurovascular structures, instrumentation should not be inserted into the lumbar disc spaces more than 3 cm from their posterior edge. Accurate anatomical knowledge of the relationships of intervertebral discs to nerve roots is needed for spine surgeons.

Traumatic lumbar nerve root meningocele

1973 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 528-532 ◽  
Author(s):  
James E. McLennan ◽  
William T. McLaughlin ◽  
Stanley A. Skillicorn
Keyword(s):  
Functional Recovery ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Nerve Roots ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lumbar Nerve Root ◽  
Fine Print

✓ A patient is described who developed an acute, occult, lumbosacral nerve root meningocele following a partial traumatic avulsion of the L-4 and L-5 nerve roots accompanied by fracture of the pelvis and fibula. Almost total functional recovery ensued. The differences between acute and chronic nerve root meningoceles are discussed, as well as the possibility of surgical intervention.

New treatment of lumbar disc herniation involving 5-hydroxytryptamine2A receptor inhibitor: a randomized controlled trial

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahiro Kanayama ◽  
Tomoyuki Hashimoto ◽  
Keiichi Shigenobu ◽  
Fumihiro Oha ◽  
Shigeru Yamane
Keyword(s):  
Lumbar Disc Herniation ◽  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Lumbar Disc ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Low Back ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Medical Interventions ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Nsaid Group ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is a chemical mediator associated with nucleus pulposus—induced radiculopathy. Inhibition of 5-HT receptors may potentially alleviate symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation. This prospective randomized controlled study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the 5-HT2A receptor inhibitor in the treatment of symptomatic lumbar disc herniation. Methods. Forty patients with sciatica due to L4–5 or L5—S1 disc herniation were randomly allocated to treatment with the 5-HT2A inhibitor (sarpogrelate 300 mg/day) or nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; diclofenac 75 mg/day). Low-back pain, leg pain, and numbness were evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) before and after a 2-week course of treatment. The patients received only allocated medicine during the 2-week regimen and were thereafter allowed to choose any treatment options depending on their residual symptoms. One-year clinical outcomes were assessed based on the rates of additional medical interventions. The mean VAS score improvements in the 5-HT2A and NSAID groups were 33 and 46% for low-back pain, 32 and 32% for leg pain, and 35 and 22% for leg numbness, respectively. After the 2-week regimen, no additional medical interventions were required in 50% of 5-HT2A—treated patients and 15% of those receiving NSAIDs. Epidural or nerve root block procedures were performed in 35% of the 5-HT2A group and 45% of the NSAID group. Surgery was required in 20% of the 5-HT2A group and 30% of the NSAID group patients. Conclusions. The current study provided evidence that the efficacy of the 5-HT2A inhibitor was comparable with that of NSAID therapy for lumbar disc herniation. The 5-HT2A inhibitor has the potential to alleviate symptoms in patients with lumbar disc herniation.

scholarly journals Appropriateness of Lumbar Spine Referrals to a Neurosurgical Service

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 843-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Max Findlay ◽  
Nathan Deis
Keyword(s):  
Lumbar Spine ◽  
Neurological Deficit ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Lumbar Spine Surgery ◽  
Nerve Root Compression ◽  
Clinical Criteria ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Radiological Evidence ◽  
The University

AbstractBackground:Patients with lumbar spine complaints are often referred for surgical assessment. Only those with clinical and radiological evidence of nerve root compression are potential candidates for surgery and appropriate for surgical assessment. This study examines the appropriateness of lumbar spine referrals made to neurosurgeons in Edmonton, Alberta.Methods:Lumbar spine referrals to a group of ten neurosurgeons at the University of Alberta were reviewed over three two month intervals. Clinical criteria for “appropriateness” for surgical assessment were as follows: •“Appropriate” referrals were those that stated leg pain was the chief complaint, or those that described physical exam evidence of neurological deficit, and imaging reports (CT or MRI) were positive for nerve root compression. •“Uncertain” referrals were those that reported both back and leg pain without specifying which was greater, without mention of neurologic deficit, and when at least possible nerve root compression was reported on imaging. •“Inappropriate” referrals contained no mention of leg symptoms or signs of neurological deficit, and/or had no description of nerve root compression on imaging.Results:Of the 303 referrals collected, 80 (26%) were appropriate, 92 (30%) were uncertain and 131 (44%) were inappropriate for surgical assessment.Conclusions:Physicians seeking specialist consultations for patients with lumbar spine complaints need to be better informed of the criteria which indicate an appropriate referral for surgical treatment, namely clinical and radiological evidence of nerve root compression. Avoiding inappropriate referrals could reduce wait-times for both surgical consultation and lumbar spine surgery for those patients requiring it.

Dermatomyotomal supply in patients with variations in the number of lumbar vertebrae

2010 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 314-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Kottlors ◽  
Franz Xaver Glocker
Keyword(s):  
Disc Herniation ◽  
Nerve Root ◽  
Lumbar Vertebrae ◽  
Lumbar Vertebra ◽  
Motor Deficit ◽  
Sacral Vertebra ◽  
Imaging Data ◽  
Nerve Roots ◽  
Lumbar Nerve Root ◽  
Electrophysiological Examination

Object Variation in the number of lumbar vertebrae occurs in a small portion of the population. Either the fifth lumbar vertebra shows assimilation to the sacrum or the first sacral vertebra shows a lumbar configuration, resulting in 4 or 6 lumbar vertebrae, respectively. Etiologically, lumbar nerve root syndrome is diagnosed by comparing the anatomical level of the disc herniation to the compressed nerve root and to the pattern of the peripheral sensory and motor deficit. In case of a variation in the number of lumbar vertebrae, defining the lumbar nerve roots becomes difficult. Variations in the number of lumbar vertebrae make the landmarks (the twelfth rib and the first sacral vertebra) unreliable clues to define the nerve roots. The allocation of the clinically damaged segment to the spinal disorder seen in imaging studies is essential for differential diagnosis and spine surgery. Methods A retrospective study was conducted of clinical, electrophysiological, and imaging data among inpatients over a period of 21 months. Eight patients who had isolated monosegmental discogenic nerve root compression and a variation in the number of lumbar vertebrae were selected. Results Seven patients presented with 6 lumbar vertebrae, and 1 patient presented with 4 lumbar vertebrae and disc herniation on 1 of the 2 caudal levels. Compression of the second-to-last nerve root in patients with 6 lumbar vertebrae resulted either in clinical L-5 or S-1 syndrome, or a combination of both. Compression of the last caudal nerve root resulted in a clinical S-1 nerve root syndrome. Conclusions The findings suggest that the dermatomyotomal supply of the lumbosacral nerve roots can vary in patients with a variation in the number of lumbar vertebrae, and a meticulous clinical, radiological, and electrophysiological examination is essential.

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