Spinal stenosis. The narrow lumbar spinal canal syndrome.

This is a report of 7 cases of narrow lumbar spinal canal syndrome encountered in 7 patients in a community hospital in one year. Nerve compression occurred from pressure from enlarged posterior elements. Although the clinical manifestations were unspecific, the lumbar spine radiographs and myelographic features are quite characteristic. Supported by myelography and/or operative findings, surgical management consisted of decompression laminectomy at multiple levels, together with diskectomy at the appropriate levels. The interim results observed at one year follow-up examination were excellent.