11/41. Changes in nerve root motion and intraradicular blood flow during an intraoperative straight-leg-raising test.STUDY DESIGN: An intraoperative straight-leg-raising (SLR) test was conducted to investigate patients with lumbar disc herniation to observe the changes in intraradicular blood flow, which then were compared with the clinical features. OBJECTIVE: The legs of each patient were hung down from the operating table as a reverse SLR test during surgery, and intraradicular blood flow was measured. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: It is not known whether intraradicular blood flow changes during the SLR test in patients with lumbar disc herniation. methods: The subjects were 12 patients with lumbar disc herniation who underwent microdiscectomy. The patients were asked to adopt the prone position immediately before surgery, so that their legs hung down from the operating table. A reverse SLR test was performed to confirm the angle at which sciatica developed. During the operation, the nerve roots affected by the hernia were observed under a microscope. Then the needle sensor of a laser Doppler flow meter was inserted into each nerve root immediately above the hernia. The patient's legs were allowed to hang down to the angle at which sciatica had occurred, and the change in intraradicular blood flow was measured. After removal of the hernia, a similar procedure was repeated, and intraradicular blood flow was measured again. RESULTS: Intraoperative microscopy showed that the hernia was adherent to the dura mater of the nerve roots in all patients. The intraoperative reverse SLR test showed that the hernia compressed the nerve roots, and that there was marked disturbance of gliding, which was reduced to only a few millimeters. During the test, intraradicular blood flow showed a sharp decrease at the angle that produced sciatica, which lasted for 1 minute. Intraradicular flow decreased by 40% to 98% (average, 70.6% /- 20.5%) in the L5 nerve root, and by 41% to 96% (average, 72.0% /- 22.9%) in the S1 nerve roots relative to the blood flow before the test. At 1 minute after completion of the test, intraradicular blood flow returned to the value obtained at baseline. After removal of the hernia, all thepatients showed smooth gliding of the nerve roots during the second intraoperative test, and there was no marked decrease in intraradicular blood flow. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that the blood flow in the nerve root is reduced when the nerve root is compressed in vivo.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = herniation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
12/41. Conjoined lumbosacral nerve roots: current aspects of diagnosis.Conjoined lumbosacral nerve roots (CLNR) are the most common anomalies involving the lumbar nerve structures which can be one of the origins of failed back syndromes. They can cause sciatica even without the presence of a additional compressive impingement (such as disc herniation, spondylolisthesis or lateral recess stenosis), and often congenital lumbosacral spine anomalies (such as bony defects) are present at the "conjoined sheaths". This congenital anomaly has been reported in 14% of cadaver studies, but myelographic or computed tomographic studies have revealed an incidence of approximately 4% only. Diagnostic methods such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are helpful for determination of the exact anatomical relations in this context. We present five typical cases of conjoined nerve roots observed during a 1 year period, equivalent to 6% of our out-patients without a history of surgical treatment on the lumbar spine. In all cases with suspicious radiological findings MRI or lumbar myelography combined with CT and multiplanar reconstructions is recommended.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.33333333333333keywords = herniation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
13/41. Rapid resolution of chronic sciatica with intravenous infliximab after failed epidural steroid injections.STUDY DESIGN: A case study of the use of infliximab to treat sciatica associated with disc herniation in a man who had failed extensive treatment, including 3 epidural injections, for several months. OBJECTIVE: To compare and contrast the clinical and imaging data before and after treatment with infliximab and to compare these results to those of a previously published case series. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: One prior case series had reported good results in patients with sciatica and disc herniation of up to 3 months' duration. However, patients had not had previous epidural steroid injections, and no comparative imaging data were reported. methods: After 8 months of unrelenting sciatica, the patient received a single infusion of infliximab. He was evaluated using the same measures used in the previously published case series. Pain scales, functional assessments, physical examinations, and imaging studies were performed immediately before infusion and for several months after treatment, with a final evaluation 6 months following infliximab treatment. RESULTS: One week after treatment, he reported >50% reduction in back and leg pain. Six months posttreatment, his back and leg pains were reduced by 89% and 86%, respectively. Strength and reflexes were restored to normal. magnetic resonance imaging performed 3 months postinfliximab showed a 50% reduction in the herniation and disappearance of previously noted S1 root compression. There were no side effects from the treatment. CONCLUSION: This report extends the potential use of infliximab to patients with more chronic sciatica and to those who have had prior epidural steroids. Larger, randomized trials are warranted.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = herniation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
14/41. Unusual presentation of sciatica in a 14-year-old girl.The sciatic nerve can be compressed by a variety of causes, while intervertebral disc herniation is the most common cause of sciatica [Surg. Neurol. 46 (1996) 14], other documented causes include, infection, neoplasm, degenerative disease of a spine, congenital anomalies and traumatic posterior hip dislocation [BMJ 287 (1983) 157]. sciatic neuropathy in children is uncommon. We present an unusual case of sciatic nerve compression in a 14-year-old-girl that was caused by an avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity. The compression was relieved by surgical excision of the avulsed ischial tuberosity.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.33333333333333keywords = herniation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
15/41. sciatica, disk herniation, and neuroborreliosis. A report of four cases.We report four cases of sciatica in patients with same-level disk herniation confirmed by computed tomography and a final diagnosis of acute radiculitis caused by borrelia burgdorferi, with a favorable response to ceftriaxone therapy. The neurological manifestations of lyme disease are protean, and a potential contribution of concomitant disk disease to sciatica can lead to diagnostic wanderings. Disk lesions and infectious conditions that can cause sciatica are discussed. Whether a favorable response to antibiotic therapy should be taken as proof of B. burgdorferi radiculitis deserves discussion. In practice, in a patient with clinical manifestations suggesting disk-related nerve root pain and residing or having traveled to an endemic area, B. burgdorferi infection should be looked for, as both etiologies can coexist.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.6666666666667keywords = herniation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
16/41. Intradural disc herniation and epidural gas: something more than a casual association?STUDY DESIGN: The case of a patient with an intradural disc herniation associated with gas in the spinal canal is presented. OBJECTIVE: To alert spine surgeons to this potential association. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: This association was described previously in five patients, a fact that seems surprising given the relative rarity of both intraspinal gas and intradural herniations. methods: The case is presented of a female patient with lumbosciatic pain who developed an incomplete cauda equina syndrome. An asymmetric discopathy of the L2-L3 space and a gas bubble with disc material within the spinal canal was noticed in the radiologic explorations. The literature and the authors' experience are reviewed with the aim of confirming the frequency of intradural herniation in association with gas in the spinal canal. RESULTS: A laminoarthrectomy of the involved space was performed followed by direct intradural examination, which revealed a disc fragment that was excised. An instrumented L2-L3 arthrodesis was performed. Postoperative evolution was satisfactory. To date, the authors have found this association in 2% of the patients with intraspinal gas. CONCLUSION: The potential presence of an intradural disc herniation must always be considered when performing an open discectomy on a patient whose CT scan study shows the presence of epidural gas. This association is particularly striking given the relative rarity of intradural herniations and intraspinal gas. In the event that no clear disc herniation was found, an intradural examination may be indicated to justify clinical signs and symptoms or previous radiologic studies.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 3.3333333333333keywords = herniation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
17/41. Synchronous lumbar disc herniation in adult twins. Case report.OBJECTIVE: To report an unusual case of large synchronous lumbar disc herniation in adult twins. methods: Case report and relevant literature review. RESULTS: The authors report a case of adult female monozygotic twins who synchronously presented with huge lumbar disc herniation. Rather than being a curious coincidence, this case highlights the potential importance of hereditary factors in the causation of lumbar disc degeneration. The relevant literature regarding the role of genetic factors and their relationship to other risk factors in lumbar disc degeneration is reviewed and discussed. CONCLUSION: Synchronous lumbar disc herniation in adult twins is a rare event. It, however, sheds light on the role of genetic factors in disc degeneration.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.3333333333333keywords = herniation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
18/41. Deep peroneal nerve paresis in a runner caused by ganglion at capitulum peronei. Case report and review of the literature.Although lateral popliteal sciatic nerve damage is not one of the commonest diseases in the general population, it is quite frequent among athletes. Several physiopathologic mechanisms have been thought to bring about this damage in athletes. Soft tissue ganglions with neurological involvement of the lateral popliteal sciatic nerve or its terminal rami are in differential diagnosis with several lesions of this area, as direct or indirect trauma, subcutaneous rupture of anterior tibialis muscle and long peroneal muscle, disc hernia, intraspinal tumor, anterior tarsal tunnel syndrome, cysts, neurofibroma, baker's cyst, vascular claudication, stenosing or inflammatory pathology of 2(nd) motoneuron, antimicrobial agents for urinary tract infection (nitrofurnantoin). The authors report the case of a 34-year-old amateur athlete with a recent paralysis of the hallux extensor, paresis of the toe extensor and hyposthenia of the tibialis anterior. The patient had been suffering from episodes of lumbalgia for a long time. He was sent to us because neurological damage due to disc herniation was suspected. electromyography, sonography, and CT showed peripheral compression of the deep peroneal nerve caused by a mucous cyst at the capitulum peronei, a ''rare'' condition. The patient underwent surgery to excise the cyst, which led to the rapid resolution of the nerve deficit shown by clinical and electromyographical tests. A meticulous anamnesis and accurate objective examination, followed by specific tests (radiographs, sonography, and possibly CT scan) generally enable a correct diagnosis to be made. If diagnosis and therapy are carried out correctly, and without delay, symptoms quickly resolve and the nerve deficit progressively regresses.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.33333333333333keywords = herniation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
19/41. Discography-induced acute lumbar disc herniation: a report of five cases.The reported complication rate of provocative lumbar discography is low, ranging from 0-2.5%. We report five cases of acute lumbar disc herniation precipitated by discography, a previously unreported complication. The cases reported comprise of four men and one woman with ages ranging from 23-45 years. All developed an acute exacerbation of radicular leg pain following multilevel provocative lumbar discography. One patient developed an acute foot drop. Comparison of lumbar MRI scans before and after discography demonstrated either a new herniated disc fragment or an increase in size of a preexisting herniation in all cases. On review of each discogram study and pre-discogram MRI an annular tear or small disc herniation was noted in all cases. In each case the patients' symptoms failed to resolve necessitating surgical intervention in all cases. In conclusion, annular deficiency is an obvious predisposing factor to discogram related disc herniation. New onset or a persistent exacerbation of radicular symptoms following provocative discography merits further investigation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2.6666666666667keywords = herniation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
20/41. Disc-like herniation in association with gas collection in the spinal canal: CT evaluation.Gas production as a part of disk degeneration can occur but rarely causes nerve compression syndromes. Few cases have been reported in which lumbar intraspinal epidural gas cause nerve root compression symptoms. We present 12 cases of gas collection in the spinal canal that were presented to the orthopaedic out-patient department with symptoms of low back pain and sciatica. CT showed the presence of free epidural gas collections adjacent to or over the affected nerve roots. Relief of symptoms was noted with the change of positions, lying down or sleeping. In this study, we conclude that the presence of lumbar intraspinal epidural gas that causes radicular compressing phenomena, can be easily detected with the use of CT.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.3333333333333keywords = herniation (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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