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What Causes Spinal Canal Stenosis?

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Posted on Mon, 21 Apr 2014
Question: I had a ct myelogram yesterday and the radiologist said the stenosis was the worse she had ever seen. She had to try 4 times to get the needle through to inject the contrast. Then the contrast would not go down all the way. It stopped and was blocked at a certain point. Even when they turned the table up to put me in a standing position for gravity to get the contrast to flow down. Does this mean I have a complete blockage of the area? I haven't gotten the results yet. What are the possible diagnoses? I have had degenerative disc disease diagnosed previously but did not know to what extent. I have numbness in my right thigh from hip to knee for 16 months getting worse with time.
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Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Narrowing may be due to arthritis or disc prolapse Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXX Thanks for writing to HCM Most probably you have spinal canal stenosis and it may be due to many reasons.In your case,it may be due to changes of arthritis or severe disc prolapse. Changing of table position is normal protocol during CT myelography.You shouldn't worry about this. I suggest to you to go for MRI L/S Spine.It is the investigation of choice for soft tissue imaging. CT scan will also demonstrate the lesion,but MRI is the investigation of choice. After assessing the cause of spinal canal narrowing,surgery may be required in severe cases. MRI can also detect other possible pathology that may lead to narrowing like mass. Neurological problems like numbness is due to nerve compression in lateral neural canal by factors like disc prolapse,osteophyte etc. Get well soon. Hope I have answered your question. Further queries are most welcome. Take Care Dr.Indu XXXXXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Indu Kumar

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Practicing since :2004

Answered : 6729 Questions

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What Causes Spinal Canal Stenosis?

Brief Answer: Narrowing may be due to arthritis or disc prolapse Detailed Answer: Hello XXXXX Thanks for writing to HCM Most probably you have spinal canal stenosis and it may be due to many reasons.In your case,it may be due to changes of arthritis or severe disc prolapse. Changing of table position is normal protocol during CT myelography.You shouldn't worry about this. I suggest to you to go for MRI L/S Spine.It is the investigation of choice for soft tissue imaging. CT scan will also demonstrate the lesion,but MRI is the investigation of choice. After assessing the cause of spinal canal narrowing,surgery may be required in severe cases. MRI can also detect other possible pathology that may lead to narrowing like mass. Neurological problems like numbness is due to nerve compression in lateral neural canal by factors like disc prolapse,osteophyte etc. Get well soon. Hope I have answered your question. Further queries are most welcome. Take Care Dr.Indu XXXXXXX