Neoplastic Lumbosacral Plexopathy

Excerpt

The lumbosacral plexus is a complex network in the pelvis formed by the anterior rami of the L1-S4 nerve roots (see Image. The Lumbosacral Nerves and the Posterior Abdominal Wall). Unlike the brachial plexus, the lumbosacral plexus has minimal nerve fascicle merging and trunk or cord formation. However, the nerves that emerge directly from the plexus have intricate anatomy (see Table. Nerves of the Lumbosacral Plexus and Their Functions). The nerve network comprises 2 adjacent plexuses: lumbar and sacral.

"Plexopathy" is a broad term used to describe disorders impacting the brachial or lumbosacral plexus. Lumbosacral plexopathy (LSP) encompasses a group of disorders affecting the postganglionic fibers originating from the anterior rami of the L1-S4 nerve roots.

Neoplastic plexopathy often signifies advanced cancer, typically arising from local or regional tumor progression. While the condition can affect any part of the peripheral nervous system, the cervical, brachial, and lumbosacral plexi are most commonly involved.