Evaluation of lateral recess stenosis by helical CT multi-plane volume reconstruction(an analysis of 78 cases)

Objective:To study the relationship between the lateral recess stenosis and the compression of nerve roots using helical CT multi-plane volume reconstruction.Methods:According to the clinical characteristics,78 patients were divided into two groups: the group one(21 cases) with the lateral recess stenosis but without nerve roots compressed and,the group two(57 cases) with the lateral recess stenosis and nerve roots compressed.χ2-test was used to test the results.Results:The distribution of incidence of narrow lateral recesses was not consistent with each centrum: the narrow rate was higher in L 5 and S1(94 sides 79.66%)than in L 4,but no significant difference(P0.05).Narrow lateral recesses occurred mainly at L 4(18 sides) and lateral recess stenosis in L 5 and S1(86 sides).The incidence rates of nerve root compression were different between L 4/L 5/S1.The compression rate at L 4 was significant lower than the other two.And there were significant difference between L 4/L 5 and L 4/S1(P0.01).However,the incidence rate in L 5 and S1 were equal(P0.05).The two frequent factors were intervetebral disc herniation/disc bulge and hyperostosis osteosclerosis of the upper zygapophysis.Conclusion:The lateral recess stenosis and the compression of nerve roots can be showed clearly by using helical CT multi-plane volume reconstruction.As far as the analysis of narrow lateral recesses concerned,we should pay more attention to all factors that could lead to the lateral recess narrow,such as developmental factors,degenerative factors,bone factors,and soft tissue factors.