Adhesive lesions of the nerve root in the dural orifice as a cause of sciatica

The cause of sciatica is elusive in some cases. In a few instances it is due to the development of adhesions about the nerve root at the point of its entrance into the dural sleeve. Seven patients with sciatica in whom surgical exploration disclosed no evidence of a herniated intervertebral disc or other extradural pathology were found to have such involvement of the L5 or S1 root at the dural orifice inside the dural sac. This condition occurred in partial form in two cases and with total incarceration in five. Relief followed radicolysis and partial or total radicotomy.