title: Spinal canal stenosis. Concept of spinal reserve capacity: radiologic measurements and clinical applications.
abstract: Radiologic measurement of central spinal canal diameters is considered a static measurement and does not necessarily indicate active stenosis. A free intracanal space is detectable with CT scanning, i.e., a container/content difference expressing reserve capacity and implying a functional identity. The obliteration of this space may induce clinical symptomatology in the elderly and in persons with developmental or acquired lumbar spinal conditions. Normal and pathologic measurements are presented.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009192:Myelography; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed