ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN EVALUATION OF ACQUIRED LUMBAR SPINAL CANAL STENOSIS

Abstract

Introduction:The lumbar spinal canal stenosis is relatively common condition of varied aetiology .The lumbar spinal canal stenosis has been defined as (any type of narrowing of the spinal canal, nerve roots or intervertebral foramena) that putting pressure on the spinal cord or on the roots of these branching nerves causing pressure symptoms in the form of pain, weakness and in some patients causing sphinecter troubles.Different imaging modalities are done for diagnosis, but the recent and excellent method for diagnosis is MRI of the lumbar spine.Material and methods:This study included 58 patients refered from neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedic departments ofTanta university hospital and out patient's clinics. During the period from augest 2005 to october 2006. All patient were applied to full history taking, neurological examination, Plain X-ray in 20 cases, MRI examination for all cases with some measurement done at the level of disc. Results :In this study, the degenerative cause for spinal canal stenosis was the common cause which represents 65.5% of the cases and the non-degenerative causes represent 34.5% of the cases, Also MRI gives more diagnostic findings.and grading for the degree of lumbar stenosis. Conclusion: From this study, the role ofMRI in diagnosis oflumbar stenosis is of great value ispite, the MR measurements are of little value. The ability of MRI to differentiate various types of lumbar canal stenosis and its degree and exact site of stenotic segment without hazard of exposure to ionizing radiation.