TANDEM SPINAL STENOSIS: A 926 MULTIRACIAL ASIAN PATIENTS’ PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS ANALYSIS

Summary StatementTandem stenosis is a prevalent condition in an Asian population with the narrowest cervical canal diameters and risk factors include advanced age and increased levels of lumbar canal stenosis.IntroductionTandem spinal stenosis (TSS) is defined as patient with concomitant spinal canal stenosis found in both cervical (C) and lumbar (L) spinal region. Few studies have reported the incidence of TSS is ranged from 5–25%, but these are all noncomparative, small cohort studies. To the best of author knowledge this is the 1st study aims to compare the prevalence of TSS and its risk factors of development in a large multiracial Asian population.MethodsA retrospective review of all mid-sagittal T2MRI whole spine image was carried out at a University hospital in year 2007. Patients with spinal tumour, fracture and congenital stenosis were excluded. Spinal stenosis was defined as canal diameter of ≤10mm, measured from the posterior cervical vertebral/disc wall to anterior surface of the corresponding...