THE VALUE OF CLINICAL FINDINGS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF LUMBOSACRAL RADICULOPATHIES CAUSED BY INTERVERTEBRAL DISC HERNIATION
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Abstract
Background: Lumbosacral disc herniation is a common disease that can cause nerve root compression with diverse clinical manifestations. Diagnosis of radiculopathy usually based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Electrodiagnostic Study (EDX), but their costs are quite high and not routinely indicated. Therefore, identifying which clinical symptoms suggestive of radiculopathy on MRI and EDX is crucial in assisting clinicians to order MRI or EDX in patients suspected of lumbosacral radiculopathy.
Objective: (1) To describe the clinical features in patients suspected of lumbosacral radiculopathy due to disc herniation. (2) To examine the correlation between clinical symptoms and lumbosacral nerve root injuries on MRI and EDX.
Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study on patients with lumbosacral disc herniation with clinical diagnosis, MRI and EDX results, visited the clinic of My Phuoc General Hospital (04/2025-8/2025).
Results: A total of 119 patients were surveyed. Clinical symptoms including subjective sensory disturbances; radicular pain; sensory disturbances in the L4, L5 dermatome; decreased/loss of knee and heel reflexes significantly correlate of nerve root injuries on MRI and EDX (p < 0.05). However, muscle weakness (L4, L5) was only correlated with MRI findings (p < 0.05).
Conclusion and Proposal: Clinical symptoms (subjective sensory disturbances in the L4, L5 dermatome; decreased/loss of knee and heel reflexes are valuable in suggesting lumbosacral nerve root lesions on MRI and EDX. However, muscle weakness in L4, L5 only suggests lesions on MRI. Based on these symptoms clinicians may order MRI or EDX to diagnose the radiculopathy.
Keywords
Clinical diagnosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Electrodiagnostic study, lumbosacral nerve root, radiculopathy
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References
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