Lumbar spinal stenosis: The reliability, sensitivity and specificity of the nerve root sedimentation sign

Abstract

Introduction: This study is to evaluate the reliability, sensitivity and specificity of nerve root sedimentation sign (NRS) in our populations. The NRS is a radiological sign to diagnose lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). It is claimed to be reliable with high sensitivity and specificity. Materials and Methods: A total of 82 MRI images from 43 patients in Group A (LSS) and 39 patients in Group B (non LSS) were analysed and compared for the presence of the NRS sign. Two assessors were used to evaluate intra and inter-assessor reliability of this sign based on 56 (33 patients, Group A and 23 patients, Group B). The findings were statistically analysed using SPSS software. Results: There was a significant association between spinal claudication and leg numbness with LSS (p<0.001 and Kappa=0.857, p<0.001). The inter-assessor reliability was also good (Kappa of 0.786, p<0.001). Conclusion: The NRS sign has high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing LSS. The sign also has good intra and inter-assessor reliability.