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International Journal of Recent Trends in Science and Technology, ISSN 2277-2812 E-ISSN: 2249-8109
Volume 16, Issue 2, Sept 2015 pp 325-326
Research Article
MRI evaluation of variability in the anatomical landmarks in cases of lumbo-sacral transitional vertebrae as compared to normal
Nikrish S Hegde1, Ram Shenoy Basti2, H B Suresh3
1Resident, 2Associate Professor, 3Professor, Department of Radio-diagnosis, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore, Karnataka, INDIA.
Abstract
Lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) is a developmental spinal anomaly, in which the lowest lumbar vertebra shows elongation of its transverse process and varying degrees of fusion/failure of segmentation from the sacrum. LSTV has been reported to alter the biomechanics of the lumbar spine and contribute to low back pain. This study was done to assess the prevalence of LSTV, classify the types of LSTV and to determine most reliable anatomical landmark to identify the vertebral levels. The landmarks assessed by us were Iliolumbar ligaments, Coeliac artery, Superior Mesenteric artery, Right Renal artery, Aortic bifurcation and level of Spinal cord termination. We assessed 200 patients in our study. Prevalence of LSTV in our study was 23%. We found that ilio-lumbar ligament was the most reliable anatomical landmark. And we concluded that in patients with lumbarisation the anatomical landmarks were located more towards the caudal direction and in patients with sacralisation the anatomical landmarks were more towards the cephalad direction when compared to normal patients with no lumbosacral transition.
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