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Lateral stenosis MRI, EMG findings may aid workup for surgical patients
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Findings from MRI and electromyography may aid in the workup of patients selected to undergo surgery, according to study findings.
The uncontrolled, prospective, single-center study included 140 roots in 14 patients with lateral lumbar spinal stenosis who were referred for surgical treatment. Researchers graded MRIs of the lateral lumbar nerve root canal entrance and mid-zones as normal, narrowed but not compressed or compressed.
The researchers also performed lumbar paraspinal and lower-limb needle electromyography (EMG) studies, and findings were classified root by root as normal or abnormal. Associations between radiological, EMG and clinical findings were tested against each other.
Ninety-two roots were classified as normal, and 48 were classified as abnormal; however, each patient had at least one abnormal root finding.
According to the researchers, mid-zone stenosis severity on MRI correlated with the abnormal EMG findings in terms of severity. Abnormal EMG findings also corresponded to higher overall VAS, specific leg pain and Beck Depression Inventory scores.
However, results showed no relationships between MRI findings and patients’ symptoms or walking capacity, according to the researchers.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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