Magnetic resonance imaging findings and clinical outcome scores in patients presenting with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis

Abstract

Objectives 1. Assessment of radiological parameters of spinal stenosis using Magnetic Resonance imaging. 2. Clinical assessment of patients with Oswestry disability index and Neurogenic claudication outcome score questionnaires. 3. To assess correlation between clinical assessment questionnaires’ scores and radiological parameters. Background. Spinal stenosis is a common presentation in the elderly and a reason for surgical intervention. Diagnostic criteria are still inconclusive. There is poor correlation between clinical and radiological findings. New observations have been described and whether they improve diagnostic criteria remains to be seen. Methods. 30 patients with spinal stenosis were included in the study. The 2 questionnaires were administered and Magnetic Resonance Imaging copies were obtained. Questionnaires and images were analyzed. Osirix programme was used to analyze the images and do the measurements. Data was entered onto an excel sheet and analyzed using Statistica software. Frequencies and correlations were done. Results. The age range was between 41 and 85.There were 22 females and 8 males. L4/L5 was the commonest level involved in 23 patients. Multilevel involvement was 23% and those patients had a higher morphological grade, which was statistically insignificant. The commonest morphological grade was C. Sedimentation was positive in 93% of the patients. The Oswestry disability Index and Neurogenic Claudication Outcome score were negatively correlated, which was statistically significant, p = 0.0004. There was no correlation between clinical and radiological features. Conclusion. Spinal stenosis remains a clinical dilemma. There is variability within the population and lack of correlation between clinical and radiologic features. Radiological features however correlate with each other, but do not help with optimizing patient care.