Curve Characteristics and Foraminal Dimensions in Patients With Adult Scoliosis and Radiculopathy

Retrospective cohort study. To demonstrate a correlation between radiculopathy symptoms, foraminal morphology, and curve types. Patients with degenerative scoliosis frequently present with foraminal stenosis and radiculopathy, the origin of which is not well understood. A total of 48 patients (384 foraminas) were included: 14 with low back pain (B); 16 with femoral nerve pain (F); and 18 with sciatic nerve pain (S). The symptomatic foramen of groups F and S were compared with asymptomatic foramina. Alignment was measured from standardized radiographs; 3D-CT reconstructions were used to measure foraminal height and area. Data are presented as mean±SD. The χ, t test, and Pearson coefficients were calculated; as well as interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility (Cohen κ). Seventeen of the 18 patients with sciatic nerve pain (S) presented foraminal stenosis (