Lateral recess entrapment

ABSTRACT

The lateral recess is considered as the hidden exit path of the nerve root emerging from the neural canal towards as peripheral destination. One hundred and seven cases in which the root symptoms were attributed to pathiological changes in this exit were studied. The result of the surgical procedure carried out to improve the state of the nerve in this exit were assessed. Seventy three patients had a previous surgery on their backs having their disc removed. In twenty one cases, a full laminectomy was performed. fifteen had a hermilaminectomy, and thirty seven had a simple discectomy. All patients had suffered from persistent pain in the leg, as well as from backache of a variable severity. This fact rendered them almost handicapped to an extent in which they were unable to perform their simplest duties. The clinical features were found helpful to define this condition, along with plane radiological findings which showed many stigmas lightening the hidden path of this recess