Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2018, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (2): 221-225.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2018.02.020

Previous Articles     Next Articles

The observation and clinical significance of redundant nerve roots of cauda equina in lumbar spinal stenosis

REN Tao, ZHENG Ming-hui, WANG Xiang, FENG Shi-feng,QU Dong-bin   

  1. Department of Spine Surgery,Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University,Guangzhou 510515,China
  • Received:2017-12-05 Online:2018-03-25 Published:2018-05-04

Abstract:

Objective To observe the morphology of Redundant Nerve Roots(RNRs)of cauda equina in lumbar spinal stenosis and to discuss the clinical significance of RNRs. Methods From January to November 2016, 134 patients with single segmental lumbar spinal stenosis were treated in our hospital and received routine MRI scan. Based on sagittal MRI, cauda equina can be divided into RNRs(+)and RNRs(-). The median sagittal diameter, the effective sagittal diameter and the effective cross-sectional canal area of the stenotic segment of spinal canal were measured. The relationship between RNRs(+)and the degree of stenosis was analyzed statistically.  Results Among 134 patients , 61 males and 73 females, aged 24~80 years (mean age 54.4±13.6 years), RNRs was positive  in 43 cases, and negative in 91 cases. The RNRs(+) morphology can be divided into three types: "stripe" type in 29 cases (67.44%, 29/43), "grape beads" type in 6 cases (13.95%, 6/43), and "serpentine "type in 8 cases (18.60%, 8 / 43).The effective cross-sectional canal area in RNRs(+) group was significantly smaller than that in RNRs(-)(P<0.05), but no significant difference was found between median sagittal diameter and effective sagittal diameter in both groups (P>0.05) .  Conclusion  RNRs of cauda equina can be found in severe lumbar spinal stenosis and it is associated with absolute stenosis of the spinal canal. Therefore, it is suggested RNRs can be used as an indicator for surgical treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Key words:  Lumbar spine,   Lumbar spinal stenosis; Cauda equina; MRI