neurologic disorders
Nerve Root Disorders
Key Points
Suspect a nerve root disorder in patients who have segmental deficits such as sensory abnormalities in a dermatomal distribution (eg, pain, paresthesias) and/or motor abnormalities (eg, weakness, atrophy, fasciculations, hyporeflexia) at a nerve root level. If patients have a sensory level, bilateral flaccid weakness, and/or sphincter dysfunction, suspect spinal cord compression. If clinical findings suggest radiculopathy, do MRI or CT. Use analgesics and sometimes corticosteroids for acute pain, and consider other drugs and other treatments, as well as analgesics, for chronic pain. In patients with progressive weakness and sphincteric dysfunction, consider surgical decompression. 