Redundant nerve roots indicate higher degree of stenosis in lumbar spine stenotic patients

Karim Rizwan Nathani, Muhammad Danish Barakzai, Hamid Hussain Rai, Komal Naeem, Fatima Mubarak, Haissan Iftikhar, Saad Akhtar Khan, Syed Ather Enam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Redundant Nerve Root (RNR) is a tortuous and elongated radiological appearance of cauda equina on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis (LSCS) patients. This study evaluated preoperative spinal morphometry associated with the development of RNR. Methods: The retrospective cohort was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital, and included patients undergoing decompressive spinal surgery secondary to degenerative LSCS in 2015. The patients were divided into two groups with respect to the presence of preoperative RNR. Spinal morphometry was defined by several radiological parameters, including areas of dural sac (DSA), spinal canal, spinal foramen, facets, and spinal joints, and bilateral angles based on vertebral anatomy. Results: A total of 55 patients were enrolled with a mean age of 57.1 years, in which 22 (40%) expressed RNR in their MRI. The RNR group had significantly lower mean DSA (59.64 vs 84.01 mm2; p = 0.028), bilateral posterior facet angle (Right: 33.84 vs 46.21, p = 0.004; Left: 36.43 vs 43.80, p = 0.039) and higher bilateral anterior facet angles (Right: 54.85 vs 44.57, p = 0.026; Left: 55.27 vs 46.36, p = 0.050) compared to the non-RNR group. The other bidimensional and angular parameters did not observe any statistical difference between the two groups. Conclusion: RNR was associated with a higher degree of stenosis in patients with LSCS. Bilateral anterior and posterior facets angles contribute to its development, indicating particular spinal morphology to be vulnerable to the stenotic disease.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1781-1787
Number of pages7
JournalActa Neurologica Belgica
Volume123
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2023

Keywords

  • Degenerative spine disease
  • Redundant nerve root
  • Spinal anatomy
  • Spinal stenosis

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