Background The prevalence of cervical canal stenosis alone is estimated to be present in 4.9% of the adult population. Co-existence of dual pathology may complicate clinical presentation and necessitates a wise and individually based decision process. Objectives To estimate the co-existence of cervical canal stenosis in surgical lumbar canal stenosis patients and its reflection on decision-making regarding surgery. Methods It is a prospective study that was conducted on 70 cases with symptomatic lumbar canal stenosis by investigating them for cervical canal stenosis clinically and radiologically. Results The co-existence of cervical and lumbar canal stenoses was seen in 62 cases (88.57%); cases with relative cervical stenosis were 25 (35.714%) and absolute cervical stenosis was 37 (52.857%). Cases with no cervical stenosis were 8 (11.428%) and cases with relative lumbar stenosis were 22 (31.428%), while cases with absolute lumbar stenosis were 48 (68.571%). Cases with symptomatic cervical canal stenosis were 30 (42.857%). Cases with asymptomtic cervical canal stenosis were 32 (45.71%). Conclusion Tandem spinal stenosis (TSS) is not uncommon and MRI cervical spine should be done for every lumbar canal stenosis patient especially if indicated by history or clinical examination.

中文翻译：

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颈椎MRI在手术腰椎管狭窄患者中的价值

背景 估计仅 4.9% 的成年人口就存在宫颈管狭窄。双重病理的共存可能使临床表现复杂化，并且需要明智且基于个体的决策过程。目的探讨腰椎管狭窄手术患者合并颈管狭窄的情况及其对手术决策的影响。方法前瞻性研究70例有症状的腰椎管狭窄症，对颈椎管狭窄进行临床和影像学检查。结果颈、腰椎管狭窄共存62例（88.57%）；宫颈相对狭窄25例（35.714%），宫颈绝对狭窄37例（52.857%）。无宫颈狭窄的病例为 8 例（11. 428%)，相对腰椎管狭窄22例(31.428%)，绝对腰椎管狭窄48例(68.571%)。有症状的宫颈管狭窄30例（42.857%）。无症状性宫颈管狭窄32例（45.71%）。结论串联椎管狭窄症（TSS）并不少见，尤其是有病史或临床检查指征的腰椎管狭窄症患者均应进行颈椎MRI检查。