"grade C (severe stenosis): no rootlets are recognised; no CSF is visible, giving a homogeneous gray signal to the sac, while epidural fat remains posteriorly"
"Miskin-Mandell grading system"
Expected headings
"Overview"
"Lurie grading system"
"Lee grading system"
"Schizas grading system"
"Miskin-Mandell grading system"
"There are multiple systems for grading lumbar spinal stenosis in the central zone. The simplest classification was proposed by Lurie and colleagues, based on the degree of compromise of the central zone as expressed in thirds 1. This system may be the most popular in the literature 2. Two other, more complex but nonetheless popular systems are based on the relationship of fluid and cauda equina nerve roots within the thecal sac, as described by Lee and Schizas 4,5. A relatively newer classification system, described by Miskin and Mandell, is a modification of the Schizas system 6."
"grade B (moderate stenosis): rootlets occupy the whole of the dural sac but they can still be individualised; some CSF is still present, giving a grainy appearance to the sac"
"grade C (severe stenosis): no rootlets are recognised; no CSF is visible, giving a homogeneous gray signal to the sac, while epidural fat remains posteriorly"
"normal: nerve roots are freely distributed, without crowding; the anterior margin of the thecal sac is flat or convex"
"mild spinal stenosis: slight crowding of the nerve roots; the anterior margin of the thecal sac is flat or slightly concave; the nerve roots remain distinguishable from the CSF"
"mild spinal stenosis: slight crowding of the nerve roots; the anterior margin of the thecal sac is flat or slightly concave; the nerve roots remain distinguishable from the CSF"
"moderate spinal stenosis: crowding of the nerve roots, resulting in a homogeneously “speckled” appearance of CSF interspersed with nerve roots; the anterior margin of the thecal sac is concave"
"severe spinal stenosis: complete effacement of CSF, resulting in nerve roots being not individually distinguishable; the anterior margin of the thecal sac is concave or not discernable"