A clinically relevant MRI grading system for lumbar central canal stenosis

Clin Imaging. 2016 Nov-Dec;40(6):1140-1145. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2016.07.005. Epub 2016 Jul 21.

Abstract

Objective: To correlate lumbar spinal stenosis as graded on noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with clinical symptomatology.

Methods: Five grades were developed for lumbar central canal stenosis based on compression of the dural sac and cauda equina. We studied concordance in 112 patients between the grading system and the anteroposterior diameter of spinal canal, dural sac cross-sectional area, Oswestry disability index, and the pain visual analogue scale (VAS).

Result: Intra- and interobserver agreement was high. Although VAS was not significantly different between groups (P=.257), all other factors were significant (P≤.005).

Conclusion: The MRI grading system reliably predicted the degree of stenosis and associated disability.

Keywords: Grading; Low back pain; Lumbar spinal stenosis; Magnetic resonance imaging.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cauda Equina / pathology
  • Constriction, Pathologic / pathology
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Low Back Pain / etiology
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain Measurement
  • Spinal Canal / pathology
  • Spinal Cord / pathology
  • Spinal Stenosis / pathology*