Superior Recess Stenosis of the Lumbar Neural Foramen in Lateral Parasagittal CT Imaging

Purpose:This study was planned to investigate the superior recess stenosis of the lumbar neural foramen in lateral parasagittal CT imaging.Materials and Methods:100 patients with superior recess stenosis of the lumbar neural foramen were scanned by Spiral CT scanner and processed by MPR(multi-planar reconstruction).Morphologic changes of the superior recess stenosis were observed by lateral parasagittal CT imaging.Results:The superior recess stenosis of the lumbar neural foramen in lateral parasagittal CT imaging was shown as:①Intervertebral disk space narrowing lead to the superoinferior narrowing of the superior recess in lumbar neural foramen,were observed in 63(63%) of 100 patients.②Hypertrophy of superior articular facet process and osteophyte formation lead to the anteroposterior narrowing of the superior recess in lumbar neural foramen,were observed in 20(20%) of 100 patients.③Lumbar osteophyte formation lead to superior recess stenosis of the lumbar neural foramen,were observed in 10(10%) of 100 patients.④Spondylolisthesis lead to superior recess stenosis of the lumbar neural foramen,were observed in7(7%) of 100 patients.Conclusion:Lateral parasagittal CT imaging appears to be more sensitive than routine axial CT imaging in the detection of changes in the superior recess stenosis of the lumbar neural foramen.It can demonstrate morphologic changes of the superior recess stenosis clearly,and provide reliable images for dianosis of superior recess stenosis.