Evaluation of the Incidence and Etiological Distribution of Extraspinal Non-Traumatic Sciatica Using Computed Tomography And/Or Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

To present 27 cases with non-traumatic extraspinal sciatica by means of computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to investigate the frequency and etiological distribution of non-traumatic extraspinal sciatica. Material and Method: CT and MRI surveys of patients with sciatica complaints were evaluated retrospectively. Patients with pathology which might have caused sciatica were included in the study. Final diagnostic clinical findings were concluded with CT-MRI images and histopathological examination. Intraspinal (discogenic, facet arthropathy, etc.) and traumatic sciatica cases were excluded from the study. Results: Pathology affecting the sciatic nerve was detected in 27 patients. 14 of the patients were female, 13 were male; average age was 53 (18 - 91). The most frequent pathology was sacroiliitis (n = 9). It was detected that 7 cases had malignant tumor, 5 cases had benign tumor, 3 cases had piriformis syndrome, 1 case had arteriovenous malformation, 1 case had gluteal abscess, and 1 case had obturator artery aneurysm. Discussion: Sacroiliitis is the most frequent cause of extraspinal non-traumatic sciatica. In accordance with the clinical findings, primarily the sacroiliac joint should be assessed in patients without a spinal pathology. However, other rare extraspinal pathologies should also be kept in mind.