Criteria for selection of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis

Aim – to evaluate clinical and instrumental correlation (MRI data) in patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis for optimizing the indications for differentiated surgical treatment. Materials and methods. Clinical and neurological manifestations and MRI data in 80 patients (men – 36, women – 44), aged 27 to 72 years with a diagnosis of intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis were retrospectively analyzed. Depending on the size of the spinal canal, there were 2 groups: the first – with relative spinal canal stenosis (n = 20) – 75–100 mm2, and the second group – with absolute spinal canal stenosis (n = 60) – less than 75 mm2. We examined the correlation between the clinical and neurological presentations and MRI findings. Results. Our retrospective analysis has found that the first group consisted mainly of younger patients (46 years) and with a mean intervertebral disc herniation of 8.35 mm, while the second group included older patients (51.7 years) and the mean size of intervertebral disc herniation was 7.3 mm. The group of relative spinal canal stenosis was dominated by patients with radiculopathy syndrome (70 %) and pain in one lower limb (85 %). Radiculoischemia syndrome (50 %), pain in both lower extremities (33 %), neurogenic intermittent claudication syndrome (46.6 %), knee reflex disorders (58.3 %), pelvic organ dysfunction (11.6 %) were more common in the second group of patients. In addition, the longest disease duration (more than 24 months) was observed among patients of this group. We have found a relationship between pain syndrome (according to VAS), muscle strength, the disease duration and the spinal canal area. Conclusions. The correlation of clinical and instrumental methods of examination in patients with intervertebral disc herniation complicated by spinal canal stenosis allows the indications for differentiated surgery to be optimized.