[Neurinomas of the cauda equina as a cause of lumbar sciatica]

The clinical and radiological characteristics together with the therapeutic results in 12 cases of Cauda Equina neurinomas are analyzed. In a high percentage of cases, Cauda Equina neurinomas manifest initially as a simple lumbar sciatic syndrome, frequently not different from those caused by other more common pathologies such as lumbar discal hernia. This article discusses the possible diagnostic problems encountered with the most common currently used radiologic procedures in this type of lesions such as CT scan, myelography and NMR.