LUMBAR EPIDURAL VARIX AS A CAUSE OF RADICULOPATHY

Study Design. Venous outflow obstruction or congestion has been implic ated in the etiology of some lumbar radicular syndromes. Ten cases of epidural varices or variants manifesting themselves as masses within t he lumbar spinal canal or adjacent foramina have been seen. Objectives . Diagnosis was made by multiplanar cross-sectional magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging and confirmed in five patients by ope rative findings. These venous abnormalities differ from cases of arter iovenous malformations described in the literature. Method. Surgical t reatment consisting of coagulative oblation and/or excision of the les ion was consistently successful in the five patients who underwent ope rations for recalcitrant symptoms. The other five patients experienced spontaneous resolution of symptoms. Three distinctly different types of these abnormalities have been identified. Results. The described en tity may account for some previously unexplained or spontaneously reso lving cases of lumbar radiculitis. Conclusions. Knowledge of the exist ence of this condition, its possible etiologies, and its imaging chara cteristics may assist in its recognition and improved management of pa tients with it.