Diagnosis and treatment of lumbosacral nerve root anomalies

Objective:To report 11 cases of lumbosacral nerve root anomalies,we explore incidence,morphologic classification,pathogenesis,diagnosis of imaging study and operative methods about lumbosacral nerve root anomalies.Methods:We found 11 cases of Lumbosacral nerve root anomalies in 978 patients who were operated in Lumbar vertabra.4 patients were examined with myelography before operation,3 patients were proved having anomalous lumbosacral nerve roots.1 patient was examined with magnetic resonance(MR) image of the Lumbar spine of the coronal plane and supected having anomalous lumbosacral nerve roots.All 11 patients′areas of decompression included lamina or half of lamina,zygapophysis of above and below level and nerve roots canal.We gratted bone on space of lamina or transversal processus for spinal fusion.Results:All patients were followed up 0.5～8 years and average of 4.1 years.The excellent and good rate was 81.8%.Conclusion 1.There is high incidence of anomalies in lumbosacral nerve roots.Most of nerve root anomalies happens at L5 and S1.2.Lumbosacral nerve root anomalies are asymptomatic.3.Myelography and magnetic resonance(MR)images of the lumbar spine in the coronal plane can help clinical diagnosis before operation.4.We suggest that doctors must carefully explore nerve roots,appear out widefield,throughly decompress and grat bone for spinal fusion.