The lumbosacral plexus: anatomic-radiologic-pathologic correlation using CT.

Before high resolution computed tomography (CT), the lumbosacral plexus was nearly impossible to image. While individual elements of the plexus are not consistently resolved using CT, the regional anatomy is reproducible and allows accurate evaluation. Normal regional anatomy was established by axial cadaver dissection and review of 233 normal computed tomographic examinations. This regional anatomy has been presented in detail. In addition, 17 patients with lumbosacral plexopathy due to benign, neoplastic and idiopathic causes were imaged. Our results show that CT is effective in the evaluation of suspected structural lesions of the lumbosacral plexus.