MRI Findings in Extraforaminal Region of L5 Nerve.

概要

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Degenerative processes of the lumbar spine can cause stenosis of the spinal canal and foramen with the problem of extracanal stenosis more easily recognised after the advent of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Sacral alar exists in the extraforaminal region of L5 and a stenotic state may occur in that region due to spinal degeneration. We studied the MRI findings in the extraforaminal region of L5 in 70 patients suffering from lumbago and/or leg pain. No stenosis in the extraforaminal region was seen in patients below 40 years of age. The frequency of narrowing in that region was 22% in the fifth decade, 38% in the sixth decade, 65% in the seventh decade and 73% in the eighth decade. Disc degeneration with narrowing, bulging and osteophyte formation was the main factor associated with stenosis and was seen in the anterolateral part of extraforaminal region.Clinically the L5 nerve root was the most disturbed. Our results showed a disturbance of the L5 root in the elderly which should be relieved by decompressive procedures.
西日本整形・災害外科学会の論文