Reliability of cervical radiculopathy, its congruence between patient history and medical imaging evidence of disc herniation and its role in surgical decision.
BACKGROUND
The incidence of cervical disc herniation is estimated about 5.5/100,000, and they lead to surgical intervention in 26 %. Cervical disc herniation causes radiculopathy, which defines by radicular pain and sensory deficit and maybe weakness following the path of the affected nerves. Classically, cervical radiculopathy is expected to follow its specific dermatome-C4, C5, C6, C7 and C8. We investigate patients who present with discrepancy between classical radiculopathy and imaging findings in the daily practice of our profession.


METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of 102 patients with cervical radiculopathy, caused by cervical disc herniation. All patients had surgery.


RESULTS
We found an apparent discrepancy between clinical and radiological findings, patients complained of radiculopathy on one side, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan or CT scan finding on the other side in ten patients (10.2 %). We did not found any other abnormalities in preoperative and post-operative period. All patients underwent cervical diskectomy via anterior approach. Six weeks after surgery eight patients (80 %) recovered completely, and 3 months after all ten patients (100 %) had been relieved totally.


CONCLUSIONS
The aim of this paper is review of this medical concept and management of radiculopathy in patients with this discrepancy. As far as we know, the subject has not yet been touched in this light in medical literature.


CONCLUSIONS
The discrepancy between clinical radiculopathy and disc herniation level on MRI or on CT scan is not rare. Management of this discrepancy requires further investigation to avoid missing diagnosis and treatment failure.
Department of Neurosurgery, Centre Clinical, 2, chemin de Fregeneuil, 168000, Soyaux, France. keyvanmostofi@yahoo.fr.|Centre Endoscopique de Chirurgie de Rachis, Centre Clinical, 2, chemin de Fregeneuil, 168000, Soyaux, France. keyvanmostofi@yahoo.fr.
Keyvan
K
Mostofi
INI (International Neursciences Institut), Rudolf-Pichlmayr-Straße 4, 30625, Hannover, Germany.
Reza Karimi
RK
Khouzani
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020968:Brachial Plexus Neuritis / Q000209:etiology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D006801:Humans; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Brachial neuralgia; Cervical disc herniation; Cervical radiculopathy; Degenerative diseases of cervical spine; Neck pain