Purpose: To evaluate the clinical importance of nerve root enhancement associated with lumbar disk herniation.
Methods: Thirty-two patients with lumbar disk herniation were examined with unenhanced and contrast-enhanced MR imaging. We investigated the relationship between nerve root enhancement and location of herniated disk in the epidural space, onset pattern of symptoms, subsequent treatment, and surgical findings.
Results: Ten of the 32 patients had nerve root enhancement, and all belonged to the group with abrupt and severe nerve root compression with no residual space for the root between the herniated disk and the pedicle in the lateral recess. Tight compression of the root without mobility was seen in the four patients with nerve root enhancement who were treated surgically.
Conclusion: Nerve root enhancement may indicate the existence of abrupt and severe compression of the nerve root as well as the presence of severe adhesion of the herniated disk and the nerve root. This finding does not necessarily determine the type of subsequent treatment.