Spinal Stenosis eMedicine Radiology

Description: Contents: Introduction Differentials Radiograph CT SCAN MRI Nuclear Medicine Angiography Intervention Multimedia References
Authors: Lennard A Nadalo, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Radiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical School; Consulting Staff, Envision Imaging of Allen and Radiological Consultants Association
James A Moody, MD, Chief, Neurosurgery Section, Department of Surgery, Methodist Medical Center
Acute and chronic neck and lower back pain represents a major health care problem in the United States. An estimated 75% of all people will experience back pain at some time in their lives. Most patients who present with an acute episode of back pain recover without surgery, while 3-5% of patients presenting with back pain have a herniated disc, and 1-2% have compression of a nerve root. Older patients present with more chronic or recurrent symptoms of degenerative spinal disease. Progressive narrowing of the spinal canal may occur alone or in combination with acute disc herniations. Congenital and acquired spinal stenoses place the patient at a greater risk for acute neurologic injury.