Chromosomal Studies in the Egyptian Flora II. Karyotype studies in the genus Plantaga L

Abstract

Anomalies of the lumbosacral nerve roots were considered to be relatively uncommon diseases. But, many cases of these lesions have been reported in the recent literatures. Since the advent of metrizamide myelography, preoperative diagnosis of these anomalies has become possible. In 1949, the first case in the literature was reported by Zagnoni, based on anatomical dissection. Ethelberg and Riishede, in 1952, reported four cases of malformation of lumbar roots and sheaths which were found in 1,162 cases of lumbar laminectomy. Cannon and Hunter, in 1961, reported five cases and proposed a classification. They reported three varieties: the conjoined roots, the transverse root, and the anastomotic roots. We report two cases of anomalous lumbosacral nerve roots (L4, L5 transverse root) with herniated lumbar discs, describing clinical and operative findings in these two cases and review the experience of others reported in the literatures. © 1987, Japan Mendel Society, International Society of Cytology. All rights reserved.