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Postoperative scar around L4 nerve root

Case contributed by Bahman Rasuli
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Recent L5/S1 hemilaminectomy and discectomy with persistent left S1 nerve root symptoms.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Female

Pre and post-contrast MRI demonstrates the left L4 nerve root to be surrounded by enhancing scar tissue.

Case Discussion

In patients with recurrent or residual sciatica after surgery for lumbar disk herniation, nerve root changes, especially root enhancement, on contrast-enhanced MR imaging six months postoperatively, showed the best association with clinical symptoms.

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