Indications for prophylactic lumbar decompression at the L3/4 level in patients with L4/5 responsible lumbar spinal canal stenosis

摘要

Introduction Lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) is a very common disease. When the responsible level is considered to be L4/5 despite the appearance of double-level (L3/4 and L4/5) stenosis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is difficult for spinal surgeons to decide whether prophylactic decompression should be performed at the L3/4 level. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the dural sac cross-sectional area (DCSA) at the L3/4 level and clinical symptoms in patients with double-level stenosis.