Dural pulsation in people with lumbar spinal stenosis

Correlation of the Presence of Dural Pulsation With Clinical and Radiological Parameters in Patients Diagnosed With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Observational Marmara University · NCT07233798

This study will see if the presence of dural pulsation on MRI is linked to symptoms and imaging findings in people with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 85 Years
SexAll
SponsorMarmara University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Pendik, Istanbul)
Trial IDNCT07233798 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is an observational study enrolling adults with MRI-confirmed lumbar spinal stenosis to record whether dural pulsation is present. Investigators will collect clinical measures (pain, claudication, disability scores) and correlate them with radiological findings on lumbar MRI. Patients meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria (age 18–85, no prior lumbar surgery, BMI <35, etc.) will be analyzed to identify associations between dural pulsation and disease severity. The goal is to clarify whether dural pulsation relates to patient symptoms or objective imaging features.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–85 who have low back and/or leg pain attributed to lumbar spinal stenosis and MRI evidence of stenosis at least at one symptomatic level are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with prior lumbar surgery, BMI ≥35, non-stenotic causes of back pain (like isolated radiculopathy from disc herniation or facet/sacroiliac/discogenic pain), major psychiatric illness, congenital spinal anomalies, inflammatory rheumatic diseases, pregnancy, or heart failure are unlikely to benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If a link is found, dural pulsation on MRI could help clinicians better match imaging findings to symptoms and inform management decisions.

How similar studies have performed: Prior intraoperative and imaging observations have reported spinal dural and CSF pulsations, but the relationship between dural pulsation and clinical or radiologic severity in lumbar stenosis is not well established.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria

* Aged between 18 and 85 years
* Patients experiencing low back and/or leg pain attributable to lumbar spinal stenosis
* Presence of lumbar spinal stenosis at least at one level consistent with clinical symptoms on lumbar MRI
* Willingness to participate in the study Exclusion criteria
* Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m²
* Patients with radiculopathy due to lumbar disc herniation
* Patients with axial low back pain caused by facet syndrome, sacroiliac dysfunction, or discogenic pain
* History of lumbar spine surgery
* Individuals with mental retardation
* Patients with major psychiatric comorbidities
* Patients with congenital spinal anomalies
* Inflammatory rheumatic diseases characterized by osteophyte formation and ligament calcification, such as ankylosing spondylitis and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH)
* Pregnancy
* Patients with heart failure

Where this trial is running

Pendik, Istanbul

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Lumbar Spinal StenosisNumerical Rating ScaleDisability PhysicalMagnetic ResonanceClaudicationDural Pulsationoswestry disability index
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.