Cauda equina redundant nerve roots are associated to the degree of spinal stenosis and to spondylolisthesis

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria

Leonor Garbin Savarese¹  Geraldo Dias Ferreira-neto¹  Carlos Fernando Pereira Da Silva Herrero¹  Helton Luiz Aparecido Defino¹  Marcello H. Nogueira-barbosa¹ 

关键词: magnetic resonance imaging;    spinal nerve roots;    cauda equina;    spinal stenosis;    spondylolisthesis;    ressonância magnética;    raizes nervosas;    cauda equina;    estenose espinhal;    espondilolistese;   

DOI  :  10.1590/0004-282X20140135

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

To evaluate the association of redundant nerve roots of cauda equina (RNRCE) with the degree of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and with spondylolisthesis.Method After Institutional Board approval, 171 consecutive patients were retrospectively enrolled, 105 LSS patients and 66 patients without stenosis. The dural sac cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured on T2w axial MRI at the level of L2-3, L3-4 and L4-5 intervertebral discs. Two blinded radiologists classified cases as exhibiting or not RNRCE in MRI. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was assessed. Results RNRCE were associated with LSS. RRNCE was more frequent when maximum stenosis<55 mm2. Substantial intra- observer agreement and moderate inter-observer agreement were obtained in the classification of RNRCE. Spondylolisthesis was identified in 27 patients and represented increased risk for RRNCE. Conclusion LSS is a risk factor for RNRCE, especially for dural sac CSA<55 mm2. LSS and spondylolisthesis are independent risk factors for RNRCE.

【 授权许可】

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