Complete dorsal wall agenesis of the sacral canal in a Greek population: an osteological study

Abstract

Introduction: The failure of closure of the dorsal wall of the sacral canal (SC) has been known since the eve of modern osteology, appearing in prehistoric times. Variants include partial or complete absence of the dorsal wall of the SC. SC presents a pathway for minimally invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures for spinal diseases and for ensuring analgesia and anesthesia in operations, including labor and genitourinary surgery. Aim: Our objective is to verify the incidence of complete agenesis of the SC dorsal wall in Greek population. Material and methods: We collected 155 adult dry sacra of known sex from the Third Cemetery of Athens for the study of the dorsal wall of the sacrum. Damaged or variated sacra were excluded. We also performed an exhaustive review of the relevant literature and compared our results with those of international studies. Results: Complete dorsal wall agenesis of the sacral canal was found in three cases (1.93%), two men (1.29%) and one woman (0.64%). Our review examines its incidence in other populations and explores the possibility of regional or racial correlation. Conclusion: Knowing the complete dorsal wall agenesis of the sacral canal by medical professionals is crucial for avoiding complications in spinal surgery, anesthetics and obstetrics, as well as in the differential diagnosis of neurological and urological diseases.