Important postoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings correlated with clinical outcomes to evaluate adequacy and success of decompression surgery–what radiologists need to know: a systematic review

This study aimed to systematically review evidence on the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings-particularly postoperative ones-that correlate with the clinical outcomes to assess the adequacy of decompression surgery for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Few studies have evaluated postoperative MRI findings and their correlation with clinical outcomes following decompression surgery for degenerative LSS. A comprehensive literature search was performed employing search engines. We analyzed postoperative MRI findings to identify those that correlated with clinical outcomes. Our study included 12 articles. Available literature indicated that certain postoperative MRI findings correlated with clinical outcomes and thus reflect the adequacy of decompression surgery. These findings included postoperative dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA) expansion, amelioration in the grade of stenosis, reversion of nerve root sedimentation sign (SedSign), and absence of redundant nerve roots (RNRs). Postoperative MRI indicators-such as DSCA expansion, improved stenosis grade, SedSign reversal, and absence of RNRs-correlate with clinical improvement and should be actively assessed to evaluate the adequacy of decompression surgery in LSS.