Stenosis: Meaning in a Radiology Report

Stenosis

Also written as: stenotic, narrowing, luminal narrowing, stricture

Stenosis means narrowing. It is used for blood vessels, the spinal canal, the openings where nerves leave the spine, and ducts such as the bile duct.

Seen on: CT, MRI, Ultrasound

How it reads in a report

There is moderate stenosis of the proximal left internal carotid artery, estimated at 50-69%.

What it means

Stenosis describes a tube or channel that has become narrower than normal. In arteries, it is usually caused by fatty plaque building up in the wall. In the spine, worn discs, thickened ligaments and bony spurs can narrow the space for the spinal cord or nerves. Reports grade it as mild, moderate or severe, or for arteries as a percentage.

When it matters

Mild stenosis is common and often causes no symptoms. Doctors focus on how severe it is and whether it matches your symptoms, such as leg pain when walking, chest pain or numbness. In the neck arteries, the percentage helps your doctors judge stroke risk and plan care. Next steps can include a repeat scan, a more detailed scan or a specialist visit.

Questions to ask your doctor

How severe is the stenosis, as a grade or a percentage?
Could this narrowing explain the symptoms I have?
Does it need a repeat scan to see if it is getting worse?

General information, not medical advice. What a finding means for you depends on your symptoms, your history and the images themselves, so talk your results through with a doctor.