Lumbar spinal canal stenosis in osteopoikilosis.

Spinal canal stenosis is diagnosed in a 45-year-old man who has osteopoikilosis and anomalies of the hip. Clinical investigations demonstrated a lumbar syndrome, previously described as an early phase of a neuropathic condition, namely, the premyelopathic syndrome. Roentgenographic calculations of canal diameters and computerized tomography proved helpful in the diagnosis of narrowed spinal canal. This case, presenting with unusual aspects of osteopoikilosis, emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and surgical decompression of the stenosed spinal canal.