Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026
06:26
Author Spotlight: Unveiling the Potential of TUBE Technique in Spinal Surgery
Published on: November 17, 2023
2.3K
Contralateral lumbosacral plexopathy following lumbar microdiscectomy
Isabel Tulloch1, Riaz Ali1, Marios C Papadopoulos1
1Neurosurgery, St George's Hospital, London, UK.
British Journal of Neurosurgery
|January 28, 2018
Summary
A rare complication, contralateral lumbosacral plexopathy, occurred in a patient two days after lumbar microdiscectomy. This case suggests a potential immune-mediated inflammatory mechanism, similar to post-operative brachial neuritis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Immunology
Background:
- Lumbar microdiscectomy is a common surgical procedure for spinal disc herniation.
- Lumbosacral plexopathy is a rare but serious neurological complication.
- Post-operative brachial neuritis is a known complication following cervical spine surgery.
Observation:
- A 51-year-old female developed contralateral lumbosacral plexopathy two days post-lumbar microdiscectomy.
- This represents the first reported instance of this complication after this specific surgical procedure.
Findings:
- The case highlights a potential link between spinal surgery and delayed-onset plexopathy.
- Pathophysiological mechanisms may involve an immune-mediated inflammatory process.
- The contralateral presentation is a unique and notable aspect of this case.
Implications:
- This finding necessitates further investigation into the immunopathogenesis of post-operative neurological deficits.
- Clinical awareness should be raised regarding this rare complication following lumbar spine surgery.
- The proposed immune-mediated mechanism warrants comparative studies with brachial plexopathy.
