Table 2.

Overview of the involved medical society and the diagnostics

Physicians consulted at first
General practitioner	72 (84.7%)
Neurologist	5 (5.9%)
Orthopedics	5 (5.9%)
Gynecologist	3 (3.5%)
Referral to specialist
Neurosurgeon	36 (42.4%)
Orthopedics	18 (21.2%)
General surgeon	14 (16.5%)
Neurologist	11 (12.9%)
Otolaryngologist	3 (3.6%)
Others	3 (3.6%)
Diagnostic workup
MRI	82 (96.4%)
CT	1 (1.2%)
Ultrasound	1 (1.2%)
Clinical examination	1 (1.2%)
MRI according to the symptoms
Palpable mass	14/15 (93.3%)
Palpable mass and self-induced pain	13/14 (92.9%)
Pain	21/21 (100%)
Neurological deficits	21/22 (95.5%)
By chance	13/13 (100%)

MRI magnetic resonance imaging, CT computed tomography