Spinal Canal Stenosis

Abstract

This unit presents a basic protocol for fast spin echo sequences for imaging to diagnose stenosis of the spinal canal. Spinal stenosis is defined generally as a narrowing of one or more of the following: the central canal, foramina, and lateral recesses of the lumbar spine. Specifically, this stenosis can be classified into three types as defined by location: (a) stenosis of the central spinal canal, (b) stenosis of the intervertebral spinal neural foramen or foramina, and (c) stenosis of the lateral recess(es) of the central spinal canal.