Localization diagnosis of lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis from multi-dimensional MRI scans of lumbar nerve roots

Objective To explore the localization diagnosis method of lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis by multi-di-mensional MRI scans of lumbar nerve roots. Methods Twenty-one patients with lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis were fol-lowed up from June 2006 to June 2011 postoperatively, 10 cases of male, 11 cases of female ; 36 to 65 years old, average 45.6 years. The medical history is six to thirty six months, an average of 9.4 years; 5 cases have low back pain with unilateral leg pain and 16 cases showed unilateral leg pain only. The height of intervertebral space and foramen intervertebrale were measured on the X-rays of lumbar lateral position. Lumbar nerve roots MR imaging at the position of axial, coronal and sagittal scan were performed separately to the patients who were clinically suspected to suffer from lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis. A definitive diagno-sis of the location of nerve root compression and structural changes surrounding the nerve root can be obtained. Surgical operation was performed to confirm the accuracy of the MRI imaging diagnosis. Results There were 9 cases of lumbar intervertebral fora- men stenosis caused by lumbar disc herniation. The other 12 cases are caused by zygapophyseal joint hyperplasia. All cases of lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis located at the low back. By comparing MR images of lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis with surgical procedure, the surgical observation of 21 patients completely coincided with the preoperative localization diagnosis, coincidence rate was 100% （21/21）. After surgical treatment, 20 cases achieved a complete remission of leg pain and 1 case was not satisfactory. Conclusion MRI imaging at the position of axial, coronal and sagittal scan for lumbar nerve roots were useful to rigorous localization diagnosis of lumbar intervertebral foramen stenosis, and can provide accurate radiological evidence for sur-gery orogram. Key words: Lumbar vertebrae;  Spinal nerve roots;  Magnetic resonance imaging;  Foraminotomy