Preliminary communication
Accidental Finding of an Anomalous Spinal Nerve Root during Lumbar-Disc Surgery: A Case Report and a Review of Literature
Karlo Houra
Vili Beroš
Damir Kovač
Tomislav Sajko
Živko Gnjidić
Krešimir Rotim
Abstract
Anomalies of lumbosacral nerve roots, even though are rare, have been well documented so far in the medical literature. The early diagnosis of these anomalies may be difficult and it is crucial to develop specific methods for depicting them. Preoperative diagnosis of anomalous lumbosacral spinal nerve roots using the magnetic resonance imaging is essential to facilitate thorough surgical planning in order to avoid unnecessary complications for the patient during surgery. The operative management of these anomalies depends on the patient’s neurological problems and while asymptomatic and accidentally diagnosed cases do not require treatment, patients who suffer low back or sciatic pain need surgical intervention in order to decompress nerve roots. We report a 45-years old woman presented with severe low back pain associated with left lumboischialgia. Intraoperative finding of an aberrant L5/S1 nerve root, optimal surgical therapy and different classifications are discussed together with a review of literature.
Keywords
nerve roots; anatomical anomaly; lumbosacral spinal cord
Hrčak ID:
59385
URI
Publication date:
1.10.2010.
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