Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Exacerbation of Back Pain with Extension: A Potential Contraindication for Supine MRI with Sedation
Correspondence: Address correspondence to Linda Chang, MD, Department of Medicine, John A. Burns School of Medicine, The Queen's Medical Center University Tower, 1356 Lusitana Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. E-mail: [email protected].
J Neuroimaging 2011;21:92-94.
ABSTRACT
A 71-year-old male with lumbar spinal stenosis developed exacerbation of lower back pain and leg paresthesias while attempting to undergo a spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan in the supine position. After undergoing sedation for the MRI, he developed an acute cauda equina syndrome that required surgical decompression. MRI may be contraindicated in the supine position for patients with spinal stenosis and back pain exacerbated by mild-to-moderate extension, since it may further compress the neural tissue.
