[Lumbar spinal stenosis. Classification and clinical presentation]

A review is presented of the nomenclature, taxonomy and clinical presentation of the lumbar canal and lateral stenosis. A historical review of the literature illustrates the growing importance of this clinical entity in the narrow spinal canal. The definition of Verbiest is introduced and explained. It distinguishes two main groups of spinal stenosis: congenital and developmental stenosis. Developmental stenosis contains several subgroups. Special attention is paid to "central" lumbar canal stenosis and lateral spinal stenosis. Both entities are discussed with a description of the etiology, anatomy, and symptomatology. The importance of nerve root infiltration as a diagnostic tool in asymptomatic radiculopathy is emphasized.