Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Post-operative neurogenic bladder

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Arachnoiditis


After L5-S1 diskectomy I developed a neurogenic bladder and mild constipation with
mild paresthesias of the leg. MRI subsequently showed "extensive inflammatory change
within the left ventral and lateral epidural space... with arachnoiditis involving
the sacral nerve roots." What causes this, is it the cause of the bladder problem?
Could it be due to operative findings of "bone over the sacral element being very thin
exposing sacral nerve elements--Gelfoam placed over space."? Could something have been done
to prevent the post-operative complication which has not resolved?
Thank you.
______
______
Dear Anne,

When removing a L5/S1 disc, the surgeon may encounter the sacral nerve roots,
roots that control sensation in the genital region as well as continence of
bowel and bladder functions. It is conceivable that the nerve roots were manipulated
at surgery enough to explain your present problems. It would be distinctly
unusual for those nerves to be inadvertently cut during surgery. A postoperative
arachnoiditis could explain the situation, and should get better.

Consult your surgeon as to his opinion of the new problems. This should not
happen after a simple diskectomy. Your surgeon may also consider a spinal
tap to be sure there is no infection.

Good luck.
Related Communities
Neurology
Sleep Disorders
Migraines & Headaches
Degenerative Diseases
Cerebral Palsy
Parkinsons Disease
Epilepsy
Tourette Syndrome

[Neurology Forum]      [Neurology Forum Archives]