Influence of lumbar spinal canal dimensions on neurological claudication symptomatology - A case control study

Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is abnormal narrowing of spinal canal of lumbar vertebrae causing compression of neural tissue which leads to a neurologic deficit. LSS is diagnosed based on clinical symptoms of patient and it is confirmed using MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging). The aim of the study is to determine the association between MRI lumbar spinal canal and foraminal dimensions in on neurological claudication symptomology. A total of 89 patients (45 males,44 females, age range: 20-60 years) referred for MRI Lumbar spine were included in this prospective study. Patients were categorized into symptomatic (49 cases) and asymptomatic (40 controls) based on Edinburgh claudication questionnaire (ECQ). The Antero-posterior diameter of dural sac, Transverse diameter of dural sac, Cross sectional area of dural sac, Cross sectional area of lateral recess, Lateral recess depth, Angle of lateral recess, Ligamentous interfacet distance was measured from L3 to S1 on Axial T2 weighted MRI images. The strength of association between MRI measurements and clinical symptoms were assessed using logistic regression analysis and Cramer's V test. The Phi coefficient value for the lumbar spinal canal, foraminal dimensions with neurogenic claudication symptomology based on ECQ was 0.108 & 0.207 respectively, which showed weak positive correlation. Our study concludes that MRI measurements of lumbar spinal canal and foraminal dimensions denoting LSS were found to show weak positive correlation with clinical symptoms assessed based on Edinburgh claudication questionnaire.