Morphometry of lumbar spinous process via three dimensional CT reconstruction in a Chinese population

To investigate the morphometric data of the lumbar spinous process dimensions in Chinese population. Forty-six adult subjects (22 males, 24 females, age range 26-45 years) were studied using the method of the three dimensional CT reconstruction in our hospital. The following parameters were measured: the distance between two adjacent spinous processes (DB), distance across the two adjacent spinous processes (DA), thickness of central of spinous processes (TC), thickness of the superior margin of spinous processes (TS), thickness of the inferior margin of spinous processes (TI), and height of spinous processes (H). Variance and correlation analysis were conducted for these data. Data met with normal distribution and homogeneity of variance. Similar variation trend of the parameters of lumbar spinous process for male and female was found. DB became shorter gradually from L1-2 to L4-5, and increased at the L5-S1. DA became larger from T12-L1 to L1-2 for male and L2-3 for female, and then became shorter from L1-2 for male and L2-3 for female, respectively. The largest H of male and female were both noted at L3. TS of the adjacent spinous processes were lower than that of TI for male and female. Statistical significance between male and female were found in H, TC, TS, TI (L1, L3 and L4), and DA (except for L4-5). Compared to male, the spinous processes of female were shorter, thinner and lower. These data may be useful for clinical application and the design of interspinous implant in Chinese population.