Abstract
Spinal adhesive arachnoiditis is an inflammation and fibrosis of the subarachnoid space and pia mater caused by infection, trauma, spinal vascular anomalies, and iatrogenic (surgery and/or puncture). Adhesive arachnoiditis develops various symptoms and signs (gait disturbances, radiating pain, paralysis, and incontinence). On the other hand, adhesive arachnoiditis associated with cauda equina syndrome has not been reported in Korea until now. The authors experienced cauda equina syndrome caused by adhesive arachnoiditis of the lumbar spine with satisfactory results following decompression. We report this case with a review of the relevant literature.
Figures and Tables
![]() | Figure 1Preoperative magnetic resonance imagings (MRIs) show adhesive arachnoiditis. (A) Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted sagittal MRI shows dural enhancement from the L4–5 disc space level to the S2 level (arrow). (B) T2-weighted axial MRIs show clumping of the nerve roots (arrows). |
![]() | Figure 2Intraoperative photographs. (A) Fibrous tissue fragments removed from adhesive arachnoiditis. (B) Severe adhesion of the soft tissue and pale dura were resolved after decompression and laminectomy at the L5/S1/2 level. |
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