title: Causes of lumbosacral plexopathy.
abstract: The lumbosacral plexus represents the nerve supply to the lower back, pelvis and legs. This review will focus on diseases and disorders affecting the pathway as demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). We stress the need to review the lumbosacral plexus in patients with non-specific symptoms such as back, hip, pelvic pain, and in those who present with sciatica unaccompanied by demonstrable intervertebral disc prolapse. We illustrate that the imaging appearances may be non-specific and re-inforce the importance of the clinical history and the use of tissue sampling to achieve an accurate diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Planner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Donaghy
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Moore
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed