29. Can the neurophysiologic study help for the right diagnosis of narrow canal?

Abstract

Spinal stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the spinal column that may occur in any of the regions of the spine. The most common clinical features are lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). There are three major types of lumbar stenosis, and accurate identification is vital to stenosis treatment: lateral, central and foraminal. If the narrowing is substantial, it causes compression of the nerves, which causes the painful symptoms of LSS. In our laboratory were studied 136 patients (41–81 years), both asymptomatic and symptomatic neurophysiological test were performed in all patients. EMG/ENG was abnormal in all symptomatic patients. In accordance with many studies there was no correlation between clinical symptoms and radiological findings; in fact, even if the neuroimaging investigation can distinguish mono- and multisegmental stenosis and its severity, often there is not correlation between the pain and functional symptoms. The electrophysiological recordings indicate a lumbar root involvement that is complementary to the history and neurological examination of the patient as well as the neuroimaging Therefore we think that for a correct diagnosis of LSS only the combination of clinical, radiological and neurophysiological recordings could be useful and may be helpful for the planning and selection of appropriate and early therapeutic approaches.