title: Diagnosis of Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis using Diffusion Tensor Imaging.
abstract: Diagnosis of lumbar foraminal stenosis remains difficult. Here, we report on a case in which bilateral lumbar foraminal stenosis was difficult to diagnose, and in which diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was useful. The patient was a 52-year-old woman with low back pain and pain in both legs that was dominant on the right. Right lumbosacral nerve compression due to a massive uterine myoma was apparent, but the leg pain continued after a myomectomy was performed. No abnormalities were observed during nerve conduction studies. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging indicated bilateral L5 lumbar foraminal stenosis. DTI imaging was done. The extraforaminal values were decreased and tractography was interrupted in the foraminal region. Bilateral L5 vertebral foraminal stenosis was treated by transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and the pain in both legs disappeared. The case indicates the value of DTI for diagnosing vertebral foraminal stenosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shimoshizu National Hospital, Yotsukaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Yawara
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Eguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Seiji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohtori
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shimoshizu National Hospital, Yotsukaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Munetaka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, Ichihara, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuhiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Oikawa
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shimoshizu National Hospital, Yotsukaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamanaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shimoshizu National Hospital, Yotsukaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamai
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Hospital Organization Shimoshizu National Hospital, Yotsukaido, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Sumihisa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Orita
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Miyako
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Eastern Chiba Medical Center, Togane, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuchika
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Eastern Chiba Medical Center, Togane, Japan.
authors.forename: Atsuya
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Hirohito
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kanamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhisa
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takahashi
keywords: Diffusion tensor imaging; Familial lumbar stenosis; Fractional anisotropy