Redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina: review of the literature
In imaging diagnosis, redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina are characterized by the presence of elongated, enlarged and tortuous nerve roots in close relationship with a high-grade lumbar spinal canal stenosis. This is not an independent entity, but it is believed to be a consequence of the chr...
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2012-06-01
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doaj-f0974cabf7db4dcf83c72bacf390f0582020-11-24T23:10:24ZengColégio Brasileiro de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por ImagemRadiologia Brasileira1678-70992012-06-0145315515910.1590/S0100-39842012000300007S0100-39842012000300007Redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina: review of the literatureMarcello Henrique Nogueira-Barbosa0Leonor Garbin SavareseCarlos Fernando Pereira da Silva Herrero1Helton Luiz Aparecido Defino2Universidade de São PauloUniversidade de São PauloUniversidade de São PauloIn imaging diagnosis, redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina are characterized by the presence of elongated, enlarged and tortuous nerve roots in close relationship with a high-grade lumbar spinal canal stenosis. This is not an independent entity, but it is believed to be a consequence of the chronic compression at the level of the lumbar canal stenosis and thus may be part of the natural history of lumbar spinal stenosis. The present paper is aimed at reviewing the histopathological, electrophysiological and imaging findings, particularly at magnetic resonance imaging, as well as the clinical meaning of this entity. As the current assessment of canal stenosis and root compression is preferably performed by means of magnetic resonance imaging, this is the imaging method by which the condition is identified. The recognition of redundant nerve roots at magnetic resonance imaging is important, particularly to avoid misdiagnosing other conditions such as intradural arteriovenous malformations. The literature approaching the clinical relevance of the presence of redundant nerve roots is controversial. There are articles suggesting that the pathological changes of the nerve roots are irreversible at the moment of diagnosis and therefore neurological symptoms are less likely to improve with surgical decompression, but such concept is not a consensus.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-39842012000300007&lng=en&tlng=enCauda equinaEstenose espinhalColuna vertebralRessonância magnética |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Marcello Henrique Nogueira-Barbosa Leonor Garbin Savarese Carlos Fernando Pereira da Silva Herrero Helton Luiz Aparecido Defino |
spellingShingle |
Marcello Henrique Nogueira-Barbosa Leonor Garbin Savarese Carlos Fernando Pereira da Silva Herrero Helton Luiz Aparecido Defino Redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina: review of the literature Radiologia Brasileira Cauda equina Estenose espinhal Coluna vertebral Ressonância magnética |
author_facet |
Marcello Henrique Nogueira-Barbosa Leonor Garbin Savarese Carlos Fernando Pereira da Silva Herrero Helton Luiz Aparecido Defino |
author_sort |
Marcello Henrique Nogueira-Barbosa |
title |
Redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina: review of the literature |
title_short |
Redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina: review of the literature |
title_full |
Redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina: review of the literature |
title_fullStr |
Redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina: review of the literature |
title_full_unstemmed |
Redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina: review of the literature |
title_sort |
redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina: review of the literature |
publisher |
Colégio Brasileiro de Radiologia e Diagnóstico por Imagem |
series |
Radiologia Brasileira |
issn |
1678-7099 |
publishDate |
2012-06-01 |
description |
In imaging diagnosis, redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina are characterized by the presence of elongated, enlarged and tortuous nerve roots in close relationship with a high-grade lumbar spinal canal stenosis. This is not an independent entity, but it is believed to be a consequence of the chronic compression at the level of the lumbar canal stenosis and thus may be part of the natural history of lumbar spinal stenosis. The present paper is aimed at reviewing the histopathological, electrophysiological and imaging findings, particularly at magnetic resonance imaging, as well as the clinical meaning of this entity. As the current assessment of canal stenosis and root compression is preferably performed by means of magnetic resonance imaging, this is the imaging method by which the condition is identified. The recognition of redundant nerve roots at magnetic resonance imaging is important, particularly to avoid misdiagnosing other conditions such as intradural arteriovenous malformations. The literature approaching the clinical relevance of the presence of redundant nerve roots is controversial. There are articles suggesting that the pathological changes of the nerve roots are irreversible at the moment of diagnosis and therefore neurological symptoms are less likely to improve with surgical decompression, but such concept is not a consensus. |
topic |
Cauda equina Estenose espinhal Coluna vertebral Ressonância magnética |
url |
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0100-39842012000300007&lng=en&tlng=en |
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