Table 1.
Qualitative | Quantitative | |
---|---|---|
Central stenosis | Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum Disc pathology Relation between fluid and cauda equina∗ Compromise of the central zone∗ Reduction of posterior epidural fat Epidural lipomatosis Redundant nerve roots of the cauda equina Sedimentation sign |
AP diameter of the spinal canal AP diameter of the contrast column (myelography) AP diameter of the thecal sac Compression of the thecal sac area in percent of normal mid-sagittal diameter Cross-sectional area of the dural sac Ligamentous interfacet distance Transverse diameter of the spinal canal |
Lateral stenosis | Compression of the subarticular area Nerve root compression in the lateral recess∗ |
Lateral recess height Depth of lateral recess Lateral recess angle |
Foraminal stenosis | Foraminal nerve root impingement∗ Size and shape of the foramen Hypertrophic facet joint degeneration Compromise of the foraminal zone∗ Perineural intraforaminal fat |
Foraminal diameter |
Only the qualitative parameters with ∗ are accepted as reliable and reached a consensus.
AP, anteroposterior.