Medical Student Loma Linda University School of Medicine Loma Linda, CA, US
Introduction: Quantitative parameters for diagnosis of congenital lumbar stenosis (CLS) have yet to be universally accepted. This study establishes parameters for congenital stenosis of lumbar neuroforaminal dimensions (LNFD) using computed tomography (CT), assessing the influences of patient sex, race, and ethnicity.
Methods: Measurements of LNFD were performed using 1,000 patients between 18 and 35 years of age who were without spinal pathology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess associations among NFD and patient sex, race, and ethnicity.
Results: Irrespective of vertebral level, mean anatomic LNFD measurements were as follows: 8.66 ± 2.1 mm and 8.76 ± 3.14 mm for left and right widths, of 17.76 ± 2.74 mm and 17.7 ± 3.26 mm for left and right heights, and 133.12 ± 34.72 mm2 and 133.4 ± 33.86 mm2 for left and right areas. Irrespective of vertebral level, threshold values for CLS were 4.46 mm and 2.48 mm for left and right foraminal widths, of 12.28 mm and 11.18 mm for left and right foraminal heights, and 63.68 mm2 and 65.68 mm2 for left and right foraminal areas. Patient sex, race, and ethnicity highlighted significant findings per vertebral level, but not when considered irrespective of vertebral level.
Conclusion : This study reports measurements of LNFD via CT of 1000 patients to establish quantitative thresholds for diagnosis of CLS. Patient sex, race, and ethnicity highlighted significant findings per vertebral level, but not irrespective of vertebral level. These findings may help solidify anatomic thresholds of foraminal stenosis via radiographic imaging and establish the foundation for future research of the diagnosis of LNFD stenosis.
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