Contralateral discectomy as a novel approach for disc herniation compressing a conjoined nerve root: illustrative case
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: BACKGROUND: A conjoined nerve root is a rare condition with numerous variants. The diagnosis can be challenging, especially when the condition coexists with other pathologies. In cases where a disc herniation affects these nerve roots, any miscalculation or inexperience of the surgeon can irreversibly injure them. Numerous reports have described the dismay of surgeons during discectomy in patients with a conjoined nerve root. Many surgical techniques have been suggested but without the good results following typical discectomies. OBSERVATIONS: In this case report, the authors describe a 53-year-old female patient who presented with radicular pain due to a large disc herniation at the level of L5-S1 on the left side. Intraoperatively, the authors identified a conjoined nerve root, forcing them to employ a novel approach with very good results. LESSONS: In some cases, the only possible way to remove a disc herniation is the contralateral approach, as described in this report. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE24301.
DOI: 10.3171/case24301
Authors: Leonidas Trakolis, Athanasios K Petridis
Institutions: St. Luke's Hospital, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4401890328