The lumbar spinal canal in hypophosphataemic vitamin D-resistant rickets.

Lumbar spine radiographs of 17 adult patients with hypophosphataemic vitamin D-resistant rickets have been examined and measured in their anteroposterior and transverse dimensions. Comparison of these measurements with those of a group of normal individuals showed the HPR patient group to have narrower spinal canals in both diameters. No differences were found between males and females in either group. The lumbar spinal canal stenosis in adult HPR patients may make them more susceptible to spinal cord compromise from space occupying lesions within the canal, causing back pain and lower limb weakness for which surgical intervention may be indicated.