title: The redundant nerve root syndrome of the Cauda equina.
abstract: The redundant nerve root syndrome is defined as the association of high-grade extradural lumbar spinal stenosis with large, elongated and tortuous nerve roots. Acquired elongation of nerve roots due to the mechanical trapping at the level of lumbar spinal stenosis is assumed to be the possible mechanism. It is believed that the cause is a squeezing force due to the chronic compression. The most common clinical symptoms are low back pain and leg pain. Although lumbar spinal canal stenosis is common, the entity has rarely been discussed in the literature. Here we present the MR imaging and intraoperative appearance of the condition with a brief discussion in a 71-year-old woman.
authors.affiliation: Haydarpaşa Numune Teaching and Research Hospital, Neurosurgery Department, Istanbul, Turkey. tayfunhakan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Tayfun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hakan
authors.forename: Erhan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Celikoğlu
authors.forename: Aydin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aydoseli
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Demir
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery