Nerve Root Sedimentation Sign

Abstract

A positive sedimentation sign exclusively and reliably occurs in patients with LSS, suggesting its usefulness in clinical practice. Future accuracy studies will address its sensitivity and specificity. If they confirm the sign's high specificity, a positive sedimentation sign can rule in LSS, and, with a high sensitivity, a negative sedimentation sign can rule out LSS.

Relationship between sedimentation sign and morphological grade in symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis

“…A3 in the morphological grade), the latter being measured above and/or below the level of maximal stenosis, at pedicle level. This was done in accordance with the recommendations of the original Barz et al paper as well as personal communication to us by the authors who state that ''at the level of the stenosis, nerve roots lie tightly packed in the dural sac and, therefore, cannot be identified and judged adequately'' [4].…”

“…2 Nerve root sedimentation sign: comparison of MRI scans with a negative sedimentation sign (left) and a positive sedimentation sign (right) [4] Eur Spine J a positive predictive value 94 % and a negative predictive value of 45 %. The presence of a C or D morphological grade carried an OR of 14 between those two groups.…”

“…Barz et al proposed another morphological sign namely the nerve root sedimentation sign (Fig. 2) which allows to discriminate between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients [4].…”

Is the Sedimentation Sign Associated With Spinal Stenosis Surgical Treatment Effect in SPORT?

“…Recently, Barz et al 23 introduced the sedimentation sign on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a possible aid in decision making for LSS. Normally, in the supine position the lumbar nerve roots should settle to the posterior spinal canal due to gravity and the absence of constrictive force.…”

“…Normally, in the supine position the lumbar nerve roots should settle to the posterior spinal canal due to gravity and the absence of constrictive force. A positive sedimentation sign, however, is evident when a patient lying supine has the absence of posterior nerve root settling 1,14,2324 . A previous study by Barz et al 23 demonstrated the ability of the sedimentation sign to discriminate between known cases of symptomatic central LSS and controls with non-specific low back pain (LBP).…”