CT diagnostic value in lateral recess stenosis due to lumbar posterior marginal intraosseous cartilaginous node

Objective To evaluate the value of CT in the diagnosis of lateral recess stenosis due to lumbar posterior marginal intraosseous cartilaginous node (LPMN).Methods CT scanning of lumbar vertebrae was performed in 3 000 patients aching in the loins and legs from 2008 to 2010.Of them 84 cases with LPMN were selected and their clinical and CT manifestation were studied.Results The characteristic CT manifestation of LPMN showed: Round and irregular bony defect of uneven size, its density being similar to that of lumbar intervertebral disc, un-even sclerosis appearing on the edge, bar or ach shapes of bones bursting into the vertebral canal, all or part departing from the centrum, narrow vertebral canal, hard membrane vesicle being pressed; Most cases had combined lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion caused influences on lateral recess in various degree; single or multiple cartilaginous nodes was found and most of which caused lateral recess stenosis slightly, moderately or severely and remarkable differences existed.Conclusion CT scanning can find LPMN and the its influences on lateral recess. It can also evaluate the stenosis degrees of lateral recess and have clinical significance in raising the diagnosis level of the lateral recess stenosis.