Diagnostic value of nerve root sedimentation disease on symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis

Abstract

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of nerve root sedimentation disease to symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and nonspecific low back pain(LBP).Methods One hundred and eighty lumbocrural pain patients in the People's Hospital of Binzhou from Jan.2010 to Jun.2013 were divided into LSS group and LBP group,and 90 patients in each group.The rate of nerve root sedimentation in two groups was recorded.Results There were 84 cases(93.3％) with positive nerve root sedimentation in group LSS,while 0 case in LBP group,and the difference was significant (P =0.000).The pain visual analogue score (VAS) between the two groups were no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).The Oswestry disability index (ODI) in LSS group was (60.3 ± 5.1) ％,lower than that in LBP group (66.4 ± 6.3) ％,and the difference was statistically significant (P =0.021).Cross-sectional area (CSA) of the LSS group was (68.9 ± 7.0) mm2,lower than that in LBP group ((168.2 ± 13.8) mm2),and the difference was statistically significant (t =26.173,P =0.000).There was no significant correlation between ODI and CSA (r =0.18,P =0.098).Conclusion The nerve root sedimentation disease is higher in LSS patients and positive of sedimentation disease can serve as a diagnosed marker of LSS. Key words: Nerve root sedimentation disease; Lumbar spinal stenosis; Nonspecific low back pain; Diagnostic value