Intermediate
Technical
IVT
spinal stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal or neural foramina that compresses neural structures.
Full Definition
A condition characterized by abnormal narrowing of the spinal canal, lateral recesses, or neural foramina, resulting in compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots. Stenosis can be congenital (developmental) or acquired through degenerative changes, including disc herniation, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, facet arthropathy, or spondylolisthesis. Symptoms vary by location but commonly include neurogenic claudication, radiculopathy, or myelopathy. Treatment ranges from conservative management to surgical decompression.
Usage
Usage note: Specify location (central, lateral recess, foraminal) and level when documenting. Often paired with descriptive severity.
In Context
- "MRI revealed severe central canal stenosis at L4-L5 with ligamentum flavum hypertrophy." — imaging report
- "The patient's neurogenic claudication was attributed to multilevel lumbar spinal stenosis." — clinical assessment
Also known as
canal stenosis
foraminal stenosis
Don't confuse with
spondylosis
spondylolisthesis