MR Morphometry of Lumbar Spine

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain is the second most common complaint encountered by primary care physicians. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the modality of choice for evaluation of low backache due to its superior soft tissue contrast and safety. During last decade there have been considerable developments in the techniques of surgical treatment of spine for which detailed knowledge of spine morphometry is required. The available lumbar morphometric normograms are of few parameters which are based on cadaver or radiographs which cannot be directly applied on MRI to diagnose spinal stenosis or to plan surgical treatment. Very few studies of MR morphometry are available in world literature. Normal values for various dimensions by MRI in Indian Population are lacking. Aim: Develop a database of Bony Spinal Canal Area (BSCA), Available Spinal Canal Area (ASCA), Pedical Length (PL) and Neural Foraminal (NF) area on MRI in Indian subjects and to determine difference between males and females for these measurements. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study lumbosacral was MRI performed on 50 volunteers in age group of 18-30 years with no history of any spinal injury/ pathology/surgery. BSCA and ASCA, pedicle length and NF area were measured and tabulated. The data obtained was analysed by calculating mean, standard deviation and 95% confidence limit. The gender relationship was analysed by unpaired Student’s ‘t’-test. A two tail p-value of <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Normative morphological data for BSCA, ASCA, pedicle length and NF area were prepared for lumbar vertebra in a sample population of India. There was statistically significant difference in bony and ASCA at L1 and L2 level. There was no statistically significant difference on right and left side in either males or females for PL and neural foramina area. Conclusion: A database of clinically relevant measurements of lumbar spine has been prepared and MRI can be used for these parameters without radiation risk

Keywords

• neural foramina
• normograms
• pedical length
• spinal canal area.