The radiological measurement on the superior articular process and interarticular isthmus in lower lumbar vertebra

English Keywords:Lumbar vertebra  Superior articular process  Interarticular isthmus  Radiography  Measurement

English Abstract:

  【Abstract】 Objectives: To perform the radiological measurement on the superior articular process and interarticular isthmus in lower lumbar vertebra and to explore the safe zone in the procedure of bony graft in lumbar spine and its association with body weight and height. Methods: 120 males and 120 females 20-45 years old undergoing physical examination were reviewed retrospectively. L-Spine PA & LAT X-ray films were used for evaluation, those with lumbar scoliosis, deformity, rotation were excluded in this study. The height of male was 157~190cm with an average of 173.63cm; and that of female was 150-174cm with an average of 162.17cm; the weight of male and female was 50-95kg(average 76.61kg) and 45-80kg(average 59.07kg) respectively. The anatomical data including the length, width and depth of the superior articular process, interarticular isthmus depth, absolutely depth, the length of bone graft at L3-L5 level were measured by using Digimizer software and were analyzed by using the linear regressive equation. Results: The length, width and depth of superior articular process, the depth of interarticular, the absolutely depth and the length of bone graft was 1.04±0.26cm and 0.98±0.25cm, 0.74±0.16cm and 0.72±0.19cm, 2.30±0.24cm and 2.17±0.24cm, 0.92±0.12cm and 0.84±0.11cm, 1.23±0.18cm and 1.16±0.18cm, 2.06±0.20cm and 2.01±0.17cm for male and female respectively. The length, width and depth of superior articular process, the depth of interarticular and absolutely depth showed no relationship with height and weight (P>0.05), while the length of bone graft was associated significantly with height(P<0.01) rather than weight(P>0.05). Conclusions: The anatomical data of superior articular process and interarticular isthmus in lumbar spine acquired by radiographic measurement can be used to support the novel posterior lumbar spine fusion.