Spinal Stenosis

Diagnosis

Spinal stenosis can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms often come and go and resemble those of many age-related conditions. Mayo Clinic specialists use their experience and state-of-the-art tools to make an accurate diagnosis. The main diagnostic procedures used are:

• Spinal X-ray. Although X-rays will not always identify spinal stenosis, they help rule out problems that cause similar symptoms.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI is a noninvasive diagnostic test that accurately pictures the spine and allows physicians to note soft tissue changes and the degree of stenosis with precision accuracy. Often, an MRI is the imaging test of choice, since it can detect damage to the spinal discs, as well as tumors.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans. These scans provide a three-dimensional view of the spine in detailed, cross-sectional images, including the size and shape of the spinal canal.
• CT myelogram. At times, CT scans are done in conjunction with myelography, which involves injection of dye into the spinal sac where it mixes with cerebrospinal fluid and circulates around the spinal cord. This test is extremely sensitive and can reveal herniated discs, bone spurs and tumors.