Similar to carpal tunnel syndrome, spinal stenosis is associated with systemic amyloidosis and presents earlier than cardiac amyloidosis symptoms - 21-45% of ATTR patients and case reports in AL patients. The investigators' recent study found that 10% of older patients undergoing carpal tunnel release surgery were positive for amyloidosis, with 20% of that group presenting with cardiac involvement. 70% of the amyloid-positive group had a history of spinal stenosis and 40% required surgical intervention. Surgical intervention for spinal stenosis could provide an opportunity to screen for amyloidosis through yellow ligament (ligamentum flavum) biopsy.
This study will look at the prevalence of amyloidosis in patients undergoing surgical intervention for non-congenital spinal stenosis and spondyloarthropathy. The investigators hypothesize that 10% of such patients will be positive for amyloidosis.
