lumbar adhesive arachnoiditis

Introduction

Fibrotic process following inflammatory response to local tissue within the subarachnoid space.

Etiology

(associated conditions)

• multiple lumbar surgical procedures
• oil-based myelography
• chronic spinal infection
• spinal cord injury
• intrathecal hemorrhage
• intrathecal injection of steroids & anesthetics
• foreign bodies

Pathology

• inflammation
• fibrosis
• adhesion of nerve roots
• pain

Clinical manifestations

• back pain
• leg pain
• motor, sensory & reflex deficits

Radiology

• magnetic resonance imaging of lumbar spine

Management

• NO satisfactory treatment
• surgical treatment including: lysis of adhesion, dorsal rhizotomy, dorsal root ganglionectomy NOT beneficial
• dorsal column stimulation for pain relief of variable benefit
• epidural steroid injections of limited value

More general terms

• arachnoiditis

Additional terms

• arachnoid