[Diagnostic value of saccoradiculography and scanner in lumbar stenoses]

Radiculographic X-rays and CAT scans of 60 patients operated on for stenosis of the lumbar canal were analyzed separately and retrospectively by rheumatologists, a radiologist and surgeons working jointly, without knowledge of findings revealed by surgery. Comparison of findings with a detailed surgical report reveals that in the case of central lumbar canal stenosis, CAT scan provides a higher degree of reliability (72%) in diagnosis than does radiculography (56%). With lateral stenosis of the lateral cleft, reliability of both tests is identical (62%). The diagnostic deficiencies of these two examinations are discussed as well as diagnostic criteria employed and possible avenues of research. Currently, in the case of stenosis of the lumbar canal, it is still necessary to perform both of these examinations in combination and to accept the fact that, in certain cases, only one of the two tests reveals the stenosis, to be able to attain a preoperative rate of correct diagnosis greater than 80%.