Oesteogenic Study of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra in Central India Region

Abstract

The morphological variations in the lumbosacral region are accidental findings during the study of dry human sacra. Most easily identified and detectable anatomical variations are related with change in the number of sacral vertebra by union of fifth lumbar vertebra or first coccyx and deletion of first sacral vertebra. These variations may be found in the living during radiological investigations for pain and neurological symptoms of patients.The study was designed to know the prevalence of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra in Central India as there is paucity of available literature. Considering the variations, we conduct this study as a prelude to any type of experimental work in biomechanics, for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in low back pain and for interventional procedures like spinal anesthesia and lumbar puncture.Setting & Design: Observational study was carried out on 206 dry sacra including human skeletons obtained from Department of Anatomy and Forensic Medicine & Regional Medicolegal Institute of Bhopal & Raipur.Morphometric measurements of 168 normal and 38 lumbosacral transitional vertebras were recorded and classified as per Castellvi's classification. Sacra showing fusion of coccyx were also included. All the parameters of variant sacra were compared with normal sacra.38 (18.4%) lumbosacral transitional vertebra of which 29 (14.1 %) cases of sacralization, 9 (4.3%) cases of lumbarization and 16 (7.8%) cases of fusion of coccyx were found. 14(36.8%), 5(13.2%),17(44.7%) and 2(5.3%) sacra falls in type I; type II, type III and type IV of Castellvi's classification.Lumbosacral transitional vertebra is attributed to its embryological origin. These variations is outcome of series of morphological changes during the transition and may interfere with the normal functioning because of compression of nerves, soft tissue and ligamentous strain between joints. Knowledge of these variations have become increasing important because of increased incidence of lower back pain, sciatica, disc prolapsed and in interventional procedures like spinal anesthesia and lumbar puncture.