EVALUATION OF THE DIAMETER OF THE LUMBAR VERTEBRAL CANAL USING COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY IN MEXICAN POPULATION

Roxana Torres Castellanos,Emilio Barbarín Rodríguez,Roberto Alfonso Martínez Medel

doi:10.1590/s1808-185120161502157644

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To conduct a descriptive study to find measures of central tendency in the vertebral bodies L3, L4, and L5 in the Mexican population. Methods: Fifty patients were considered, 33 male and 17 female, aged between 30 and 55 years. Measurements were performed at the levels L3, L4 and L5 taking the interpedicular distance (A), mid-sagittal diameter (B), anteroposterior distance (AP) and the depth of lateral recess (R) in axial 2-mm sections of CT scans (Somaton Emotion, SIEMENS, 2 sections) in a Mexican population with healthy vertebral bodies, with no history of lumbar pathology. Results: Overall, the measures obtained were mean interpedicular distance of 22.80 in L3, range of 16.34/28.72. In L4, mean of 23.83, range of 17.62/27.92. In L5, mean of 25.28, range of 21.88/31.29. Conclusions: This study managed to make a database that did not exist in Mexico, using measures of central tendency. Therefore, it opens the way for it to be possible, in future studies, to identify predictive factors or even developing implants.

Highlights

Precise information about the dimensions of the lumbar vertebrae is crucial for the spine surgeon, both for the clinical radiological evaluation and for surgical procedures.[1]
The main objective of this study is to describe measurements of the lumbar spine, in L3, L4, and L5, from axial slices of computed axial tomography
The measurements of L3, L4, and L5 were taken in 2 mm axial slices of computed axial tomography (Somaton Emotion 2-slice, SIEMENS) from a Mexican population with healthy vertebral bodies and without previous history of lumbar disease

Summary

Introduction

Precise information about the dimensions of the lumbar vertebrae is crucial for the spine surgeon, both for the clinical radiological evaluation and for surgical procedures.[1]. Objetivo: Realizar un estudio descriptivo para buscar medidas de tendencia central en los cuerpos vertebrales L3, L4 y L5 en población mexicana Métodos: Fueron considerados 50 pacientes, 33 hombres y 17 mujeres, con edades entre 30 y 55 años. Study conducted at the Hospital Central de Cruz Roja Mexicana, Polanco.

Results

Conclusion