Rarer causes of radiculopathy: spinal tumors, infections, and other unusual causes

For the physiatrist practicing musculoskeletal medicine, patients with radiculopathy are a challenging and rewarding population for whom to provide care. Despite the rarity of diseases discussed in this article, at some time in his or her career every musculoskeletal physiatrist will see patients with these diagnoses as the cause of radiculopathy or back pain. A high index of suspicion is necessary to identify these rare disease processes accurately and promptly. The patient's history, examination, and plain-film radiographic evaluations remain the best tools with which to establish a differential and working diagnosis. The most important services that the physiatrist can provide to these patients are an astute application of the differential diagnosis to identify the specific etiology and the leadership required to organize a multi-disciplinary team of specialists to address all of the patient's needs.