• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

Objective: On the basis of preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, we studied the change of the size of anterior primary division (APD) of the L5 spinal root in the presence of foraminal/extraforaminal entrapment of the L5 spinal root. Methods: Two independent radiologists retrospectively reviewed the preoperative CT scans of 27 patients treated surgically and compared the sizes of the APDs on bilateral L5 spinal roots. If one side APO size was larger than the other side APD size, it was described as left or right "dominancy" and regarded this as "consensus (C)" in case that there was a consensus between the larger APD and the location of sciatica, and regarded as "non-consensus (NC)" in case that there was not a consensus. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were used for preoperative and postoperative evaluation. Results: On CT scans, twenty-one (77%) of 27 patients were the consensus group (APD swelling) and 6 (22%) were a non-consensus group (APD no swelling). In 9 patients with acute foraminal disc herniations, asymmetric enlargement of the APD on L5 spinal root was detected in all cases (100%) and detected in 11 (64%) of 17 patients with stenosis. Preoperative ODI score was 75-93 (mean 83) and postoperative 001 scores were improved to 13-36 (mean 21). The mean follow-up period was 6 months (range, 3-11 months). Conclusion: An asymmetric enlargement of the APD on L5 spinal root on CT scans is meaningfully associated with a foraminal or extraforaminal entrapment of the L5 spinal root on the lumbosacral junction.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.147-159
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• 2019

Lumbar foraminal pathology causing entrapment of neurovascular contents and radicular symptoms are commonly associated with foraminal stenosis. Foraminal neuropathy can also be derived from inflammation of the neighboring lateral recess or extraforaminal spaces. Conservative and interventional therapies have been used for the treatment of foraminal inflammation, fibrotic adhesion, and pain. This update reviews the anatomy, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and current treatment options of foraminal neuropathy.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.258-262
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• 2005

Objective: The 5th lumbar spinal nerve can be entrapped in the intraspinal zone, foraminal zone, and the extraforaminal zone simultaneously. The failure to recognize that the nerve root can be compressed in such manners may be the reason of a number of failures of surgical decompression. Here we describe a microsurgical method for the decompression of the triple entrapment of the L5 spinal nerve in 21 patients. Methods: Clinical manifestations and surgical results of twenty-one patients treated surgically under the diagnosis of the triple entrapment of the L5 spinal nerve were reviewed retrospectively. All patients were treated by the posterior midline approach for the intraspinal entrapment and by the paraspinal approach for the foraminal and the extraforaminal entrapment. Results: Pain relief was obtained in all patients immediately after surgery. The mean follow-up period after the surgery was 13 months, ranged from 6 to 24 months. The mean Numeric Rating Scale (pain score) improved from 8.9 before the surgery to 1.4 (P<0.0001). The mean ODI scores improved from 76.2 before the surgery to 13.1 (P<0.0001). Nineteen patients were satisfied with their result at the last follow-up examination. Neither complications related to the surgery, nor the spinal instability was detected. Conclusion: The triple entrapment of the 5th lumbar spinal nerve is an important pathologic entity to identify for the treatment of L5 radiculopathy. Combined medial and lateral approaches are safe, minimally invasive and it provide the complete decompression of triple entrapment of the L5 spinal nerve without causing secondary instability like after complete facetectomy.