Torg Ratio Radiographic Measurement for Determining Spinal Stenosis
Summary:
- The Torg ratio is one of several radiographic methods that can be used to assess the presence of spinal cord stenosis and/or likelihood for spinal cord compression when interpreting an MRI.
- It is known as the spinal canal to vertebral body ratio and is determined by dividing the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal by the sagittal diameter of the vertebral body.
- A ratio of < 0.8 or 0.7 indicates significant spine stenosis and increase risk for neurologic injury.
Torg Ratio
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- Line (a) = sagittal diameter of the spinal canal
- Line (b) = sagittal diameter of the vertebral body
- Gray Dashed Oval = represents the sagittal diameter of the spinal cord that comes from an MRI
- Pavlov H et al. Cervical
spinal stenosis: determination with vertebral body ratio method. Radiology 1987;164(3):771-5. PubMed
- Castro FP Jr et al. Stingers,
the Torg ratio, and the cervical spine. Am J Sports Med 1997;25(5):603-8. PubMed
- Torg JS et al. Cervical cord neurapraxia: classification, pathomechanics, morbidity, and management guidelines. J Neurosurg 1997;87(6):843-50. PubMed
Anatomical Image: C3 Cervical Vertebrae
Note: The Torg ratio is also commonly used with the SAC to determine the presence or degree of severity of cervical spine stenosis.
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