Effect of intervertebral disk degeneration on spinal stenosis during magnetic resonance imaging with axial loading.
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with axial loading can simulate the physiological standing state and disclose spinal stenosis undetected or underestimated in the conventional position. Intervertebral disk degeneration may be an important factor in spinal stenosis. This study investigated whether intervertebral disk degeneration increases spinal stenosis during axial loading. MR imaging with and without axial loading was obtained in 51 patients with neurogenic intermittent claudication and/or sciatica and reviewed retrospectively. The grade of disk degeneration was rated in four disk spaces from L2-3 to L5-S1. The dural sac cross-sectional area (DCSA) was measured on MR images taken in both conventional and axial loading positions, and the change in the DCSA was calculated. The effect of disk degeneration on the DCSA was statistically analyzed. Significant decreases in the DCSA occurred with grade 4 disk degeneration (mean +/- standard deviation, 20.1 +/- 14.1 mm(2)), followed by grade 3 (18.3 +/- 15.1 mm(2)) and grade 2 (8.9 +/- 13.1 mm(2)). DCSA decreased considerably with increased severity of disk degeneration with axial loading, except for grade 5 disk degeneration. More accurate diagnosis of stenosis can be achieved using MR imaging with axial loading, especially if grade 2 to 4 disk degeneration is present.
Ahn
Tae-Joon
TJ
Department of Neurosurgery, Wooridul Spine Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Lee
Sang-Ho
SH
Choi
Gun
G
Ahn
Yong
Y
Liu
Wei Chiang
WC
Kim
Ho-Jin
HJ
Lee
Ho-Yeon
HY
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012585:Sciatica / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult