Table 3.

Classification of diagnostic categories by frequency order of citation from selected studies

	Number of studies citing the diagnostic criterion (in decreasing order of frequency)
Syndrome	15-19 studies	5-14 studies	1-4 studies
Radiculopathy due to HD		Characteristic of leg pain Herniated disc on imaging Nerve root irritation sign Neurological deficit Herniated disc on imaging corresponding (level + side) with clinical observation Specification of nerve roots included Precision on the kind of HD included/excluded Pattern of radiation	Presence of accompanying back pain. Electromyographic findings leg pain > back pain Positive Valsalva manoeuvre Neurological deficit corresponding to the pain pattern
	6-7 studies	3-5 studies	1-3 studies
Neurogenic Claudication due to LSS	Radiological confirmation of stenosis	Specific inclusion or exclusion of some other radiological findings Presence of accompanying back/buttock/lumbopelv ic pain Characteristics of radiating pain Explicit definition of neurogenic claudication Definition of radiological stenosis Exclusion of other spinal or non spinal problems.	Correlation between symptoms and level of radiological stenosis Age limitation