Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis means narrowing of the spinal canal or nearby nerve spaces. Depending on severity and location, this can contribute to nerve symptoms, walking limitation, or pain, but imaging findings still need to be matched with symptoms and exam.

Also seen as: canal stenosis, spinal canal narrowing.

If you are trying to place this wording inside the bigger picture of your report, start with the radiology findings hub and then compare it with the related symptom and report phrase pages below.

This term becomes more or less important depending on its size, location, severity, associated symptoms, and whether it is new compared with earlier imaging. Radiologists usually expect the finding to be read alongside the rest of the report instead of in isolation.

Spinal stenosis is a common degenerative spine imaging finding, especially with age.

• Degenerative disc and joint change
• Ligament thickening
• Disc bulge or herniation
• Congenital or post-surgical narrowing in some patients

• The report describes severe canal narrowing
• There are progressive neurologic symptoms or weakness
• Symptoms suggest significant nerve compression or myelopathy

• Correlate imaging with walking tolerance, pain pattern, and exam
• Use MRI findings together with neurologic symptoms
• Specialist follow-up may be considered when narrowing is severe

A radiology finding name can sound more definite than it really is. Many findings describe an imaging pattern, not a final diagnosis, and many turn out to be less urgent once doctors match the wording with your symptoms, exam, and any earlier studies.

• Moderate lumbar spinal stenosis at L4-L5.

  See phrase explanation

• Severe central canal stenosis with crowding of the cauda equina.

  See phrase explanation

These pages cover the modified versions of this same finding so you can compare how wording changes when a report adds extra detail.

Educational information only. Always consult your clinician for medical advice.

This page is educational only and should be used to understand report language, not to diagnose a condition or replace clinician review.