[Lumbosacral tumors of the vertebral canal simulating prolapse of the nucleus pulposus].

The authors analyzed the signs and clinical data from the preoperative period in 39 patients with tumours of the conus terminalis and cauda equina. Most patients had been treated for a long time for lumbar discopathy with sciatic pains. Most symptoms and neurological signs were in many cases suggestive rather of lumbar disc prolapse than spinal tumour. Radiological examinations of the spine failed in a overwhelming majority of cases to provide clues for correct diagnosis, only the type of tendon jerks loss, results of Queckenstedt's test and protein level in the cerebrospinal fluid suggested spinal tumor as a cause of the disease. Contract radiological examination of the vertebral canal gave definite answer in all cases.