NERVE ROOT COMPRESSION ASSOCIATED WITH NARROWING OF THE LUMBAR SPINAL CANAL

Abstract

During a study of low back pain and radiculitis, certain patients were observed who did not conform to the criteria of the classical compression syndromes caused by osteophytes or herniated discs (Epstein, 1960). Symptoms and signs of nerve root compres-sion were far more severe than could be explained by the presence of relatively minor intrusions. Pre-operative myelograms disclosed single and often multiple defects of varying extent, some with complete block suggesting the presence of lesions more extensive than were encountered at operation. A significant common finding in these patients was the difficult operative exposure of the interspace caused by unusually prominent, bulbous articular facets and thickened, vertically orientated laminae.