David Rodriguez MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Robert Jeffrey Freed MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vikas Agarwal MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Low back pain is a major cause of morbidity and disability, and lumbar spinal surgery is routinely performed in the efforts of relieving such people from their suffering. As with any surgery, there are risks associated with the procedure, and this presentation will review the common postoperative complications, specifically regarding lumbar decompression. Multiple CT and MR examples will be presented to demonstrate the pertinent findings a neuroradiologist must be familiar with when interpreting a postoperative exam. There will then be a brief overview of the different ways and urgencies in which these complications are managed.

Overview of surgical causes of low back pain Highlight the pros and cons of spine surgery Describe the role of lumbar decompression in the treatment of low back pain Review imaging findings of common postoperative complications, which include: Misplaced hardware Epidural collection/hematoma Recurrent herniation vs epidural fibrosis Arachnoiditis

http://abstract.rsna.org/uploads/2014/14003071/14003071_lqqr.pdf

Rodriguez, D, Freed, R, Agarwal, V, Return of the Back Pain: Postoperative Complications of Lumbar Decompression Surgery.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14003071.html