Morphometric Study of Atypical Lumbar Vertebrae and their Clinical Significance

Abstract

Introduction: Lumbar pedicles are short and strong. They form an important part of lumbar spine and play role in transmission of weight from neural arch to the anterior part of vertebral column. Fractures, tumours and degenerative diseases of lumbar vertebrae are common. Pedicle screw fixation is needed to stabilise the vertebrae if required. Only few studies are available for atypical lumbar vertebrae. Aim: To determine the various morphometric measurements of fifth lumbar vertebrae and to discuss the various applied aspects of the study. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of one year from March 2016 to February 2017. Eighty-five adult human fifth lumbar vertebrae were identified with its atypical features and were examined. Various morphometric measurements- pedicle length, pedicle height and pedicle width, inter pedicle distance, transverse pedicle angle, sagital pedicle angle, chord length, vertebral body height, vertebral body width and vertebral canal measurements were taken using sliding vernier caliper with a least count of 0.1 mm. The data were entered in Microsoft excel and were analysed. Results: A total of 85 fifth lumbar vertebrae were examined. Mean Pedicle Height of L5 vertebrae on both the sides were equal (8.4±3.74). Mean pedicle length of L5 vertebrae and mean transverse pedicular angle of L5 vertebrae were more on the right side than on the left side. Mean pedicle width, mean sagital pedicular angle and chord length of L5 vertebrae were more on the left side than on the right side in this study. All the measurements were compared with previous authors and found to have similar results. Conclusion: Various morphometric measurements of pedicle of fifth lumbar vertebrae were taken in this study. These morphometric knowledge of the pedicles may be helpful for the orthopaedic surgeons and radiologists for proper selection of the pedicle screw and operative repair.