Negative exploration for lumbar disc prolapse--findings and possible causes. 1979

J Schramm, and F Oppel

32 cases of negative exploration in a joint follow-up series of 3,032 lumbar disc operations are described. Data from 15 hospitals were analyzed by means of questionnaires and computer-aided analysis. Detailed information is given about pre- as well as intraoperative findings. The causes of negative lumbar disc exploration can be divided into two groups. 1. Genuine misdiagnosis where other causes are responsible for the symptoms, and 2. poor technique where despite genuine disc prolapse no evidence was found at operation. The most important causes in the first group were osteochondrotic compression, distended epidural veins, and root tension. The results are less favourable in these patients than in the overall series but, compared to the other complicated courses, the results were markedly better. A review of the literature is given, the possible causes for negative explorations are discussed, and a directive is established for the surgical procedure in cases where an expected prolapse is not found at operation.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007383 Intermittent Claudication A symptom complex characterized by pain and weakness in SKELETAL MUSCLE group associated with exercise, such as leg pain and weakness brought on by walking. Such muscle limpness disappears after a brief rest and is often relates to arterial STENOSIS; muscle ISCHEMIA; and accumulation of LACTATE. Claudication, Intermittent
D007405 Intervertebral Disc Displacement An INTERVERTEBRAL DISC in which the NUCLEUS PULPOSUS has protruded through surrounding ANNULUS FIBROSUS. This occurs most frequently in the lower lumbar region. Disc Herniation,Disc Protrusion,Disc, Herniated,Disk Herniation,Disk Protrusion,Disk, Herniated,Intervertebral Disc Herniation,Intervertebral Disc Protrusion,Intervertebral Disk Displacement,Intervertebral Disk Herniation,Intervertebral Disk Protrusion,Prolapsed Disk,Protruded Disc,Protruded Disk,Slipped Disk,Disk Prolapse,Herniated Disc,Herniated Disk,Prolapsed Disc,Slipped Disc,Disc Displacement, Intervertebral,Disc Herniations,Disc Protrusion, Intervertebral,Disc Protrusions,Disc Protrusions, Intervertebral,Disc, Prolapsed,Disc, Protruded,Disc, Slipped,Discs, Protruded,Disk Displacement, Intervertebral,Disk Herniations,Disk Prolapses,Disk Protrusion, Intervertebral,Disk Protrusions,Disk, Prolapsed,Disk, Protruded,Disk, Slipped,Herniated Discs,Herniated Disks,Herniation, Disc,Herniation, Disk,Herniation, Intervertebral Disc,Herniation, Intervertebral Disk,Intervertebral Disc Displacements,Intervertebral Disc Herniations,Intervertebral Disc Protrusions,Intervertebral Disk Displacements,Intervertebral Disk Herniations,Intervertebral Disk Protrusions,Prolapse, Disk,Prolapsed Discs,Prolapsed Disks,Prolapses, Disk,Protruded Discs,Protruded Disks,Protrusion, Disc,Protrusion, Disk,Protrusion, Intervertebral Disc,Protrusion, Intervertebral Disk,Protrusions, Intervertebral Disk,Slipped Discs,Slipped Disks
D009408 Nerve Compression Syndromes Mechanical compression of nerves or nerve roots from internal or external causes. These may result in a conduction block to nerve impulses (due to MYELIN SHEATH dysfunction) or axonal loss. The nerve and nerve sheath injuries may be caused by ISCHEMIA; INFLAMMATION; or a direct mechanical effect. Entrapment Neuropathies,Nerve Entrapments,External Nerve Compression Syndromes,Internal Nerve Compression Syndromes,Nerve Compression Syndromes, External,Nerve Compression Syndromes, Internal,Compression Syndrome, Nerve,Compression Syndromes, Nerve,Entrapment, Nerve,Entrapments, Nerve,Nerve Compression Syndrome,Nerve Entrapment,Neuropathies, Entrapment,Neuropathy, Entrapment,Syndrome, Nerve Compression,Syndromes, Nerve Compression
D010007 Osteochondritis Inflammation of a bone and its overlaying CARTILAGE. Meniscitis,Meniscitides,Osteochondritides
D003951 Diagnostic Errors Incorrect or incomplete diagnoses following clinical or technical diagnostic procedures. Diagnostic Blind Spots,Errors, Diagnostic,Misdiagnosis,Blind Spot, Diagnostic,Blind Spots, Diagnostic,Diagnostic Blind Spot,Diagnostic Error,Error, Diagnostic,Misdiagnoses
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013122 Spinal Diseases Diseases involving the SPINE. Disease, Spinal,Diseases, Spinal,Spinal Disease

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