title: Sciatica caused by lumbar epidural gas.
abstract: Gas production as a part of disc degeneration can occur but rarely causes nerve compression syndromes. The clinical features are similar to those of common sciatica. CT is very useful in the detection of epidural gas accumulation and nerve root compression. We report a case of symptomatic epidural gas accumulation originating from vacuum phenomenon in the intervertebral disc, causing lumbo-sacral radiculopathy. A 45-year-old woman suffered from sciatica for 9 months. The condition worsened in recent days. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated intradiscal vacuum phenomenon, and accumulation of gas in the lumbar epidural space compressing the dural sac and S1 nerve root. After evacuation of the gas, her pain resolved without recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Hatim
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Belfquih
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Brahim
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: El Mostarchid
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akhaddar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Miloudi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: gazzaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Mohammed V Military Teaching Hospital, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boucetta
mesh_terms: D004824:Epidural Space; D005260:Female; D005740:Gases; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008875:Middle Aged; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D012585:Sciatica / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D005740:Gases
keywords: Epidural gas; intradiscal vacuum phenomenon; lumbar spine; sciatica