Contralateral lumbosacral plexopathy following lumbar microdiscectomy

Abstract

We describe the unique case of a 51-year-old lady who developed a contralateral lumbosacral plexopathy two days after a lumbar microdiscectomy. This is the first report to date of this complication occurring following this procedure. We review the literature regarding lumbosacral plexopathy and discuss the evidence base behind investigating and managing this condition and the potential pathophysiological mechanisms which underlie its development. We draw comparisons with the more widely recognised post-operative brachial neuritis, characterised by delayed onset brachial plexopathy developing after cervical decompression, and propose an immune-mediated inflammatory mechanism linking the two conditions.

Keywords:

• Lumbosacral plexopathy
• microdiscectomy
• brachial neuritis
• sarcoidosis
• plexus
• auto-immune

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.