老年人腰椎椎管狭窄的CT评估

CT diagnosis of lumbar spinal stenosis in elder

目的 :描述 60岁以上老年人脊椎狭窄的有关CT表现及测量 ,探讨老年人脊椎狭窄的特征。方法 :采用CT横断面薄层扫描 ,并测量硬膜囊矢状径、黄韧带前间隙、侧隐窝宽度 ,分析它们与脊髓和 /或神经根受压的关系。结果 :硬膜囊矢状径≤ 10mm、黄韧带前间隙 <5mm ,侧隐窝宽度≤ 3mm ,常提示压迫脊髓或神经根。结论 :老年人椎管狭窄多有椎骨小关节及侧隐窝狭窄 ,而黄韧带前间隙 <5mm是神经根压迫较为可靠的依据。

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of lumbar spinal stenosis in elderly people according to CT findings and the measurement of lumbar spinal stenosis.Methods:CT scanning with thin slice at transaxial plane was used to measure the sagittal diameter of the dural sac,the space anterior to the ligamentum flavum,and the width of the superior outlet of the lateral recess.The correlation between the measured data mentioned above and the compression of the spinal cord/spinal nerve roots was analyzed.Results:The sagittal diameter of the dural sac less than 10mm,the space anterior to the ligamentum flavum less than 5mm,and the width of the superior outlet of the lateral recess less than 3mm often indicated the compression of the spinal cord /spinal nerve roots.Conclusions:Lumbar spinal stenosis in elder mostly accompanies with the narrowing of the facets of vertebra and the superior outlet of the lateral recess.Also,the space anterior to the ligamentum flavum less than 5mm is a reliable sign of compression of the spinal nerve roots.