Conjoined lumbar nerve roots: a frequently underappreciated congenital abnormality.
Publication/Presentation Date
4-1-2004
Abstract
Nerve root anomalies are frequently underrecognized on advanced imaging studies and may account for some percentage of failed spinal surgical procedures. The conjoined nerve root represents the most common nerve root anomaly. It is a well-known cause of false-positive readings for bulging and herniated disks in patients with purely axial neuroimaging studies. A retrospective evaluation of consecutive microsurgical lumbar diskectomies in 80 patients during a 5-year period was undertaken. A total of four patients (5%) were found intraoperatively to have evidence of a conjoined nerve root by the classification of Neidre. None was diagnosed preoperatively. Coronal magnetic resonance imaging offers the best means of visualizing a conjoined nerve root. The chance for a successful operation can be significantly enhanced if the surgeon is prepared to encounter this pathology.
Volume
17
Issue
2
First Page
86
Last Page
93
ISSN
1536-0652
Published In/Presented At
Scuderi, G. J., Vaccaro, A. R., Brusovanik, G. V., Kwon, B. K., & Berta, S. C. (2004). Conjoined lumbar nerve roots: a frequently underappreciated congenital abnormality. Journal of spinal disorders & techniques, 17(2), 86–93. https://doi.org/10.1097/00024720-200404000-00002
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
15260089
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article