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Negative exploration for lumbar disc prolapse—Findings and possible causes

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Summary

32 cases of negative exploration in a joint follow-up series of 3,032 lumbar disc operations are described. Data from 15 hospitals were analyzed by means of questionnaires and computer-aided analysis. Detailed information is given about pre as well as intraoperative findings. The causes of negative lumbar disc exploration can be divided into two groups.

  1. 1.

    Genuine misdiagnosis where other causes are responsible for the symptoms, and

  2. 2.

    poor technique where despite genuine disc prolapse no evidence was found at operation.

The most important causes in the first group were osteochondrotic compression, distended epidural veins, and root tension. The results are less favourable in these patients than in the overall series but, compared to the other complicated courses, the results were markedly better. A review of the literature is given, the possible causes for negative explorations are discussed, and a directive is established for the surgical procedure in cases where an expected prolapse is not found at operation.

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Author notes

  1. J. Schramm

    Present address: Neurochirurgische Universitätsklinik, Klinikum Steglitz, Freie Universität, Berlin

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neurochirurgische Universitätsklinik, Klinikum Steglitz, Freie Universität, Berlin

    F. Oppel

  2. Stuttgart

    B. Atay & F. Pampus

  3. Freiburg

    J. Becker & E. Metzel

  4. Würzburg

    P. Becker, J. Bockhorn & K. A. Bushe

  5. Graz

    G. Clarici & F. Heppner

  6. Frankfurt

    W. Dittmann & B. Hübner

  7. Köln

    R. A. Frowein, K. auf der Haar & A. Koulousakis

  8. Linz

    A. Grund

  9. Kiel

    H. P. Jensen & H. H. Petersen

  10. Berlin

    P. Lücke, M. Schirmer & M. Zeitner

  11. Heidelberg

    K. Martin

  12. Mainz

    K. Schürmann & T. Wallenfang

  13. Hannover

    B. U. Seidel & D. Stolke

  14. Essen

    E. W. Strahl & R. Winheller

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  1. J. Schramm
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  2. F. Oppel
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Schramm, J., Oppel, F., Atay, B. et al. Negative exploration for lumbar disc prolapse—Findings and possible causes. Acta neurochir 46, 267–280 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01430588

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