Clinical Observation in the Narrow Spinal Canal

ABSTRACT

Authors analysed 25 cases of the narrow spinal canal in cervical and lumbar region, who admitted to the Catholic Medical Center, Seoul from Jan. 1970 to August 1976. Correlation between neurologic feature and radiologic finding was attempted and compared the measurements of narrow cervical and lumbar spinal canal with that of the healthy Korean. The mean anterioposterior diameter of the cervical canal in healthy Korean was 16.2mm at C4, 16.4mm. at C5, 16.6mm. at C6, and 16.4mm. at C7. The ratio of canal to vertebral body in the plain lumbar spine was 1 3.9 at L3, 1 3.8 at L4 and 1 3.8 at L5. The measurements of 25 cases of narrow spinal canal were significantly reduced comparing with the healthy one. The clinical symptoms were closely related to the severity of the narrow spinal canal while there was intermittent or insidious course of symptom in the group of mild narrow spinal canal. Symptom of root compression or neurogenic claudication is frequent manifestation in the severe narrow spinal canal. and the symptom is correlated to the severity of the narrowing. Urinary disturbance and pyramidal tract sign were evident in the cervical narrow canal. The characteristic myelographic feature was multiple constrictive defect at the level of the narrow canal. Common findings in laminectomy were the thickened laminae and hypertrophied ligamentum flavum in the narrow canal. Herniated disc was not found but in one case in the cervical narrow canal at surgery. The recovery of the symptom was better in the group of the narrow canal who had mild degree of narrowing or who had the symptom in short duration rather than prolonged course.