• Leonor Garbin Savarese, Geraldo Dias Ferreira-Neto, Carlos Fernando Pereira da Silva Herrero, Helton Luiz Aparecido Defino, and Marcello H Nogueira-Barbosa.
• Radiology Division, School of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto,, University of Sao Paulo (USP), Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil.
• Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2014 Oct 1; 72 (10): 782-7.

UnlabelledTo evaluate the association of redundant nerve roots of cauda equina (RNRCE) with the degree of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and with spondylolisthesis.MethodAfter Institutional Board approval, 171 consecutive patients were retrospectively enrolled, 105 LSS patients and 66 patients without stenosis. The dural sac cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured on T2w axial MRI at the level of L2-3, L3-4 and L4-5 intervertebral discs. Two blinded radiologists classified cases as exhibiting or not RNRCE in MRI. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was assessed.ResultsRNRCE were associated with LSS. RRNCE was more frequent when maximum stenosis<55 mm2. Substantial intra- observer agreement and moderate inter-observer agreement were obtained in the classification of RNRCE. Spondylolisthesis was identified in 27 patients and represented increased risk for RRNCE.ConclusionLSS is a risk factor for RNRCE, especially for dural sac CSA<55 mm2. LSS and spondylolisthesis are independent risk factors for RNRCE.

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