Intra-dural intercommunications between dorsal roots of adjacent spinal nerves and their clinical significance

Purpose The dorsal roots of adjacent spinal nerves are known to communicate with each other through rami communicantes. These intercommunications can cause deviations in the normal dermatomal organization which leads to errors during clinical decision-making. The objective of the study was to augment the existing knowledge of these communications which shall help minimize the diagnostic and therapeutic errors. Methods The present study examined thirty cadaveric spinal cord specimens to document the data of intra-dural, intercommunications between dorsal roots of adjacent spinal nerves. Results All the regions of the spinal cord exhibited the presence of intercommunications with variable frequency. The intercommunications were categorized into a total of nine groups based on their patterns. The levels of spinal cord exhibiting higher and lower frequencies of intercommunications were identified. Conclusion This information will be useful during the clinical evaluation of patients with spinal cord pathologies or radiculopathies. The outcomes of rhizotomy can also be improved with knowledge of intercommunications.