Clinical evaluation of lumbar spinal stenosis and its correlation with the MRI findings

• Author Details:   
• Ratnakar E Ambade
• Karan K Mane

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Financial Disclosure: There are no financial relationship for this study to disclose.
Study Design: Cross sectional prospective study to evaluate the Clinical findings of lumbar spinal stenosis and correlated to the MRI findings.
Objectives: To examine the clinical presentation in lumbar spinal stenosis, also the radiologic features of lumbar spinal stenosis on MRI SCAN and to correlate the both.
Summary of Background Data: Several studies have been performed regarding the correlation of clinical findings with the radiologic findings, it is important to find out the sensitivity, efficacy and lapses of both the methods and to formulate an effective diagnostic plan for management of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis specially in a rural setup in Indian population.
Methods: Cross sectional prospective study to evaluate the clinical findings of lumbar spinal stenosis and correlated to the MRI findings.
Clinical findings which were evaluated included Age, Occupation, Duration of symptoms, claudication distance, clinical level for disc protrusion, motor and sensory deficits, bladder bowel involvement.
MRI findings which were noted as related to lumbar spinal stenosis were canal diameter, level of disc protrusion, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy.
Results: Many clinical parameters do correlate with the MRI features of lumbar spinal stenosis. This may not be true in all cases and hence clinical parameters are of paramount importance while considering the treatment option for the patient evenly supported by the MRI findings. 
Conclusion: To conclude with MRI is the modality of choice in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis but needs to be correlated with clinical findings  to ascertain or diagnose or classify LSS in terms of severity and before planning for surgical decompression.

Keywords:  Lumbar Spinal stenosis; MRI; Clinical and radiological correlation; Canal stenosis