Sturzenegger M
Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 1989 Sep 19;78(38):1023-36.
When examining a patient with a radicular syndrome the first step is to localize the neurologic damage. Clinical examination usually allows differentiation of radicular from plexus and peripheral nerve lesions and also from non-neurogenic symptoms. The second step is to look for etiology, which often needs additional investigations. Plain films of the spine with views in flexion and extension show disease of the bony structures and instability. Soft tissue alterations leading to radicular or dural compression are best shown by computed tomography, which is also the method of choice to prove space occupying lesions of the abdominal and pelvic cavity. Myelography shows best longitudinal extension of intraspinal processes. Magnetic resonance imaging is the method of choice to prove intramedullary lesions. Early diagnosis of spine infection needs scintigraphy. Radicular inflammation or irritation by tumor-cells (meningosis) will be missed with-out CSF-examination.
在检查患有神经根综合征的患者时，第一步是定位神经损伤。临床检查通常可以区分神经根病变与丛和周围神经病变，也能区分与非神经源性症状。第二步是寻找病因，这通常需要进一步的检查。脊柱的正侧位平片可显示骨结构疾病和不稳定情况。导致神经根或硬膜受压的软组织改变，计算机断层扫描显示最佳，它也是用于证实腹腔和盆腔占位性病变的首选方法。脊髓造影最能显示椎管内病变的纵向延伸。磁共振成像则是证实髓内病变的首选方法。脊柱感染的早期诊断需要闪烁扫描法。不进行脑脊液检查会漏诊肿瘤细胞引起的神经根炎症或刺激（癌性脑膜炎）。
