2Ankara Üniversitesi, Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroşirürji Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye AIM: To describe lumbosacral root abnormalities and to emphasize their clinical and surgical importance.
MATERIAL and METHODS: The study was carried out retrospectively on 826 patients who had undergone lumbar disc surgery. Patient files were examined and 22 patients with nerve root anomalies were noted.
RESULTS: There were 12 female and 10 male patients in the study. Disc hernia was at the L5-S1 level in 63.6% of cases and at the L4-L5 level in 36.4% of cases. Three main categories were identified in the relationship between the aberrant roots and the disc hernia. In Group A (45.5%), the disc hernia was between dura and the medial root, In Group B (36.4%), the disc hernia was between a double root, and in Group C (18%) the disc hernia was between the lateral root and facet or lateral recess.
CONCLUSION: It is necessary to carefully identify any abnormalities in the root position and other aspects of the spinal canal by blunt dissection after identifying the dura and the first exiting nerve root and observing the root as far as the intervertebral foramen before excision of the herniated disc in order to protect the nerve root from damage.
Anahtar Kelimeler : Anomaly, Nerve root, Lumbosacral spinal area