[Narrow lumbar canal syndrome. Symptomatology and evolutionary aspects]

The authors report a retrospective study of 77 patients with a narrow lumbar canal syndrome (NLC). They recall the semiology, and the clinical and radiological findings which permit one to make the diagnosis and discuss, with an average follow-up of two years, the results of medical treatment (42 cases) or surgical treatment (35 cases), and the management which should be adopted. Medical treatment appears to be indicated in the mild forms of NLC, 34% of patients in this series (functional symptoms reduced and normal neurological examination at rest and after effort) where one may observe 80% of good results. Similarly, medical treatment should be attempted in certain more severe symptomatic forms where are still obtained 26% of good results permitting one to await surgery, and then reserve surgical treatment for failures or relapses. Operation is however definitely indicated in the forms where there are marked neurological signs. Under these conditions, the results of surgery and medical treatment seem comparable and one may note on the whole 60% of good results.