Non-Discal Lumbar Radiculopathy: Combined Diagnostic Approach by CT and MR

Abstract

The goal of this paper was to evaluate the different causes of non-discal radiculopathies and to determine the different sensitivity and specificity of CT and MR.

We reviewed 450 patients with non-discal radiculopathy; CT was performed in all patients while MR was done only in 95 cases. MR was obtained only in case of polyradiculopathy, or if there was a discrepancy between clinical evaluation and CT findings or when sphincteral symptoms were present.

The most frequent cause of non-discal radiculopathy was degenerative disk disease associated with facet joint abnormality and secondary central and lateral spinal canal stenosis. Other causes were neoplastic lesions, traumas, malformations, inflammatory processes and vascular abnormality.

CT was more sensitive and specific in degenerative disc disease while MR was better at evaluating other pathology.

CT still represents a satisfactory technique in evaluating patients with non-discal radiculopathy; MR must be also performed in case of discrepancy between clinical evaluation and CT findings.

Directly MR examination should be reserved for patients presenting sphincteral symptoms.