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Intraoperative conjoined lumbosacral nerve roots associated with spondylolisthesis

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Abstract

Lumbosacral nerve roots anomalies may produce low back pain. These anomalies are reported to be a cause for failed back surgery. They are usually left undiagnosed, especially in endoscopic discectomy techniques. Any surgery for entrapment disorders, performed on a patient with undiagnosed lumbosacral nerve roots anomaly, may lead to serious neural injuries because of an improper surgical technique or decompression. In this report, we describe our experience with a case of L5–S1 spondylolisthesis and associated congenital lumbosacral nerve root anomalies discovered during the surgical intervention, and the difficulties raised by such a discovery. Careful examination of coronal and axial views obtained through high-quality Magnetic Resonance Imaging may lead to a proper diagnosis of this condition leading to an adequate surgical planning, minimizing the intraoperatory complications.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 2nd Orthopedics Department, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania

    Iulian Popa, Dan V. Poenaru & Manuel D. Oprea

  2. Department. of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Balneology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Victor Babes”, Timisoara, Romania

    Diana Andrei

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  1. Iulian Popa
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  2. Dan V. Poenaru
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  3. Manuel D. Oprea
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  4. Diana Andrei
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Correspondence to Iulian Popa.

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Popa, I., Poenaru, D.V., Oprea, M.D. et al. Intraoperative conjoined lumbosacral nerve roots associated with spondylolisthesis. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 23 (Suppl 1), 115–119 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-013-1185-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-013-1185-2

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