[Differential Diagnosis between Spinal Degenerative Disorder and Peripheral Nerve Entrapment Disease]

In the surgical treatment of spinal degenerative disorders, neural function improves to some extent upon successful neural decompression. However, we have witnessed cases with poor postoperative results. The causes include surgical procedure issues, such as insufficient decompression of neural tissues and overlooking sites to be decompressed, and neurological misdiagnosis of other causative lesions or multiple lesions. Here, as necessary knowledge for spine surgeons dealing with spinal cord degenerative disorders to prevent poor surgical results, we have discussed the differentiation of peripheral nerve entrapment neuropathy from spinal degenerative disorders. Specifically, we have focused on L5 radiculopathy or common peroneal nerve entrapment disorder and C8 radiculopathy or thoracic outlet syndrome or ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy, which are difficult to distinguish, and have explained the difference in their neurological symptoms from an anatomical perspective. We have also described the differential diagnosis of drop fingers, which is one of the neurological symptoms, and have mentioned the possibility of diseases managed by neurologists, which neurosurgeons should know about.