Aufgrund der Alterung der Gesellschaft ist die lumbale Spinalkanalstenose mittlerweile
eine der häufigsten wirbelsäulenchirurgischen Diagnosen. Betroffen ist am häufigsten
das Wirbelsäulensegment LW 4/5. Nach Ausschöpfen der konservativen Therapie ist die
Dekompression des Spinalkanals indiziert, ggf. – bei Instabilität – auch eine fusionierende
Operation. Im Rahmen dieser Übersichtsarbeit sollen das Erkrankungsbild der Spinalkanalstenose
umfassend dargestellt und die diversen Therapieoptionen aufgezeigt werden.
Abstract
A lumbar spinal canal stenosis is defined by a reduction of the diameter of the spinal
canal of the lumbar and lumbosacral spine. The stenosis mostly is caused by degenerative
processes. As spinal degeneration is related to age, the incidence of lumbar spinal
canal stenosis is increasing with the aging society. The typical complaints are stress-related
leg pain. Frequently, back pain and pseudoradicular leg pain are also reported, because
the development of a spinal canal stenosis is accompanied by mostly transient segmental
instability and even degenerative spondylolisthesis. Today, magnetic resonance imaging
is the diagnostic tool of choice, followed or accompanied by computed tomography (CT).
If conservative management fails, bilateral decompression of the spinal canal either
via a unilateral laminotomy and undercutting to the contralateral side or via a bilateral
laminotomy are the surgical treatment options of the first choice. Non-direct decompression
by interspinous devices should only be considered in those rare cases in which general
anesthesia is contraindicated. Facet blocks might play a therapeutic role in patients
with dominant back or pseudoradicular leg pain. Even if the spinal canal stenosis
is combined with a degenerative spondylolisthesis, fusion is rarely indicated.
Schlüsselwörter
Wirbelkanal - Nervenkompression - Rückenschmerzen - Lendenwirbelsäule - lumbosakrale
Wirbelsäule
Keywords
spinal canal - nerv compression - back pain - lumbar spine - lumbosacral spine