Lumbar pannus presenting as cauda equina syndrome in a patient with longstanding rheumatoid arthritis
1Department of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada. kevin.white@lhsc.on.ca
The Journal of Rheumatology
|April 12, 2001
Abstract:
Relatively little attention has been paid to lumbar spine involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and indeed it is generally considered to be an uncommon and usually clinically minor manifestation of the disease. We describe a case of acute right lower extremity weakness secondary to compression of multiple lumbar nerve roots by a large interforaminal rheumatoid pannus, and review the literature on this complication and other lumbar spine involvement in RA.
Related Concept Videos
Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction
Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...
Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology
The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
