What does no central canal stenosis mean?

What does no central canal stenosis mean?

Central stenosis occurs when the central spinal canal is constricted with enlarged ligament and bony overgrowth, causing compression of the spinal cord and cauda equina. Stenosis can occur along any area of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar), but is most common in the lumbar area.

What is thecal sac stenosis?

Lumbar stenosis is defined by two major types. Central stenosis compresses the midline (in the middle) sac of nerve tissue (dural or thecal sac containing the lumbar nerve roots). Lateral recess stenosis (off to the sides) compresses the individual exiting nerve roots.

What does ventral thecal sac mean?

Ventral refers to the front, the opposite of posterior. Thecal sac is the outer covering of the spinal cord. This means there are bone spurs on the back of the spinal bones, putting pressure on or affecting the front part of the outer layer of the (neck) cervical spinal cord.

What is stenosis mean?

Stenosis: A narrowing. For example, aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve in the heart.

What is compression of thecal sac?

Thecal Sac Compression – The spinal cord and nerves are also protected by a membrane filled with cerebral spinal fluid known as the thecal sac or dural sac. Flattening or compression of the thecal sac will occur in other conditions that cause pressure or pinching of the spinal cord, such as stenosis.

What causes compression of thecal sac?

What is the function of the thecal sac?

Anatomical terminology The thecal sac or dural sac is the membranous sheath (theca) or tube of dura mater that surrounds the spinal cord and the cauda equina. The thecal sac contains the cerebrospinal fluid which provides nutrients and buoyancy to the spinal cord.

What is compression of the thecal sac?

Can a compressed vertebrae be fixed?

Kyphoplasty—this surgical operation corrects bone deformations resulting from a spinal compression fracture. Like a vertebroplasty, a bone cement is used to secure a damaged vertebra, but this procedure uses a tiny balloon to create a space into which the compound is inserted.

What is the difference between spinal stenosis and central canal stenosis?

Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of one or more bony openings (foramina) in the vertebrae of the spine. When spinal stenosis occurs in the spinal canal, it is called central canal stenosis and may cause compression of the spinal cord.

What does effacing thecal sac mean?

Compression of the thecal sac means the protective membrane covering the spinal cord is experiencing extra pressure, according to Merck Manuals. Effacement of the thecal sac means that the thecal sac is being shortened or narrowed, according to the Free Dictionary.

What does it mean to have central canal stenosis?

Central canal stenosis occurs when the passageway that houses the highly sensitive spinal cord narrows. This passageway is known as the spinal canal and is discussed below.

What causes compression of thecal sac in spinal stenosis?

Thecal sac effacement is seen in patients with extradural lesions located in midline. Effacement of posterior epidural fat is observed in severe stenosis of the central canal. In spinal stenosis, the thecal sac is compressed by the protruding disc anteriorly and ligamentum flavum posteriorly, forming an hourglass shape.

Is the thecal sac part of the spinal cord?

The thecal sac is a covering of the spinal canal that is filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). It houses the spinal cord and nerve roots. It is made up of outer arachnoid membrane and inner dura. It is wider in females. The length is approximately until S1 to S3 vertebral levels.

When does spinal stenosis occur in the lumbar spine?

When spinal stenosis occurs in the spinal canal, it is called central canal stenosis and may cause compression of the spinal cord. Central canal stenosis can occur in the lumbar (lower) spine. Watch: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Video