Anatomical Evaluation of Lumbar Spinal Canal on 3T MRI to Assess Spinal Canal Stenosis

Background: Lumbar spinal canal stenosis is a common degenerative condition resulting from narrowing of the central canal, lateral recesses, or neural foramina. MRI plays apivotalrolein anatomical evaluation and early identification of stenotic changes. This study provides a detailed morphometric assessment of the lumbar spinal canal using 3T MRI in a tertiary care population. Aim: To perform an anatomical evaluation of the lumbar spinal canal on MRI and determine the prevalence, distribution, and morphological patterns of lumbar spinal canal stenosis in a regional patient population. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted at MMU Hospital, Mullana, including 190 patients who underwent lumbar spine MRI between September and November 2025. Data were obtained from PACS and radiology reports. MRI examinations were reviewed for the presence of stenosis, type (central, lateral recess, foraminal), level-wise involvement, and severity. Demographic and clinical information were also recorded. Patients were classified into stenosis-positive (n = 76) and normal (n = 114) groups. Only complete and diagnostically interpretable MRI studies were included. Results: Lumbar spinal canal stenosis was identified in 40% (76/190) of patients. Central canal stenosis was the most frequent pattern (76 findings), followed closely by lateral recess (75 findings) and foraminal stenosis (56 findings). The L4–L5 and L5–S1 levels showed the highest involvement. Among severity-documented cases, mild stenosis was most common (85.5%), while moderate and severe cases accounted for 4% and 10.5%, respectively. Normal MRI examinations constituted 60% of the cohort. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a substantial prevalence of lumbar spinal canal stenosis within the evaluated population, with predominant involvement of the lower lumbar levels and mild degenerative narrowing as the most common presentation. High-resolution MRI provides essential anatomical insights for accurate diagnosis, characterisation of stenosis patterns, and informed clinical management.