Spinal stenosis overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Spinal stenosis is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerves. This is usually due to the natural process of spinal degeneration that occurs with aging. It can also sometimes be caused by spinal disc herniation, osteoporosis, or a tumour. Spinal stenosis may affect the cervical spine, the lumbar spine or both. Lumbar spinal stenosis results in low back pain as well as pain or abnormal sensations in the legs.
Treatment
MRI
In the case of cervical spinal stenosis, the best diagnostic and investigative tool is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), while computed tomography (CT) is somewhat useful if MRI is unavailable. However, spinal stenosis can be found in asymptomatic patients.[1][2][3] As with cervical spinal stenosis, MRI is the best imaging procedure for diagnosing lumbar spinal stenosis, though CT may also be somewhat useful and can be used if MRI is unavailable.
References
- ↑ Teresi LM, Lufkin RB, Reicher MA; et al. (1987). "Asymptomatic degenerative disk disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine: MR imaging". Radiology. 164 (1): 83–8. PMID 3588931.
- ↑ Boden SD, McCowin PR, Davis DO, Dina TS, Mark AS, Wiesel S (1990). "Abnormal magnetic-resonance scans of the cervical spine in asymptomatic subjects. A prospective investigation". The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume. 72 (8): 1178–84. PMID 2398088.
- ↑ Ernst CW, Stadnik TW, Peeters E, Breucq C, Osteaux MJ (2005). "Prevalence of annular tears and disc herniations on MR images of the cervical spine in symptom free volunteers". European journal of radiology. 55 (3): 409–14. doi:10.1016/j.ejrad.2004.11.003. PMID 16129249.