The diagnostic significance of transverse and sagittal diameters of lateral recess on lumbar spinal stenosis

Objective To investigate the reasonsoflateral recess stenosis and the diagnostic value of anatomic measurements on it.Methods 38 lumbar spinal specimens were made sagittal and transverse sections.The morphologic characteristics concerning with lateral recess,ligamenta flava and intervertebral disc were measured and analyzed.Results (1) Sagittal diameters of lateral recess of L3-5 vertebrae were (6.97± 0.95)(,6.46±0.86)and (6.37±0.54)mm,respectively on section A,as well (7.21±0.82),(7.20±0.79)and (7.01±0.59)mm on section C.(2) For different lumbar vertebrae,there was a significant sex difference for transverse diameter and sagittal diameter of intervertebral disc,thickness of ligamenta flava,but not for transverse diameter and sagittal diameter of lateral recess on transverse sections,while there was no significant difference for transverse and sagittal diameter of lateral recess and thickness of ligamenta flava for bilateral lumbar vertebrae.(3)The height of anterior border of disc was significantly higher than that of posterior border on sagittal sections,especially in L5 ～ S1.The rate between the height of anterior and posterior borders of disc was smaller at L4～L5 than that at L5～S1.Conclusions ⑴There is a significant difference among different sexes and lumbar vertebrae for morphologic parameters.⑵ Transverse diameter and sagittal diameter of intervertebral disc,thickness of ligamenta flava are valuable for evaluating of lateral recess stenosis.⑶ The narrow of lateral recess is possible for inducing of lumbar spinal stenosis.