Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Diffusion Tensor Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Chronic Spinal Cord Compression
Published on: May 7, 2019
A clinically relevant MRI grading system for lumbar central canal stenosis
Shiguo Yuan1, Yucong Zou2, Yikai Li2
1Department of Orthopaedics, Hainan Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Haikou, 570203, China; Department of Orthopaedics, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China.
Objective:
To correlate lumbar spinal stenosis as graded on noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with clinical symptomatology.
Methods:
Five grades were developed for lumbar central canal stenosis based on compression of the dural sac and cauda equina. We studied concordance in 112 patients between the grading system and the anteroposterior diameter of spinal canal, dural sac cross-sectional area, Oswestry disability index, and the pain visual analogue scale (VAS).
Result:
Intra- and interobserver agreement was high. Although VAS was not significantly different between groups (P=.257), all other factors were significant (P≤.005).
Conclusion:
The MRI grading system reliably predicted the degree of stenosis and associated disability.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System VI: Calcium -Scoring CT
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging
01:21Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI