Abstract
The pathogenesis of lumbar canal stenosis with degenerative scoliosis is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to analyze the pathogenesis and surgical results of this special condition. Twenty-six patients (average age, 66.8 years) with degenerative scoliosis (Cobb angle, over 10 degrees) underwent surgery. Eighteen patients underwent laminectomy, and 8 patients had laminectomy and spinal fusion. Nine patients had one level degenerative spondylolisthesis. Twelve patients had cauda equina symptoms, 9 had radicular symptoms, and 5 had both symptoms. In the latter 14 patients with radicular symptoms, 8 had symptoms at the concave side and 6 at the convex side. Myelograms and CT myelograms showed compression of the nerve root caused by degenerative scoliosis consistent with the symptoms at the concave side in 6 patients. The average preoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association score was 10.8, and at the latest review, 16.9. Five patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis had scoliosis at the spondylolisthesis level, and rotational instability was revealed on preoperative CT. In no case did the Cobb angle increase over 5 degrees after operation in the patients who had laminectomy.
