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Conus Medullaris Level in Vertebral Columns With Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra
Amir Kershenovich1, Oscar Malo Macias, Faiz Syed
1*Department of Neurosurgery, Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pennsylvania;‡Temple School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;§Department of Neurosurgery, Hospital 20 de Noviembre, ISSSTE, Mexico City, Mexico;¶Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico;‖Department of Radiology, Geisinger Health System, Danville, Pennsylvania.
Neurosurgery
|September 9, 2015
Summary
Lumbar or sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) affect conus medullaris (CM) position. Lumbarization lowers CM to L1-L2, while sacralization raises it to T12-L1, independent of age or sex.
Area of Science:
- Spinal anatomy
- Radiology
- Vertebral anomalies
Background:
- Lumbar or sacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) affect 4-30% of the population.
- Limited research exists on the conus medullaris (CM) level in individuals with LSTV.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if LSTV influences the position of the CM within the spinal canal across all age groups.
- To compare CM position in patients with LSTV to the general population with normal vertebral columns.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of spinal MRI scans from a 10-year period.
- Inclusion of patients of all ages, sexes, and pathologies with LSTV.
- Categorization of LSTV into lumbarized (57%) and sacralized (43%) types.
Main Results:
- Lumbarized vertebrae were associated with a lower CM position (mean L1-L2).
- Sacralized vertebrae were associated with a higher CM position (mean T12-L1).
- CM level distribution was consistent across sexes and ages, excluding tethered cords.
Conclusions:
- LSTV type significantly impacts CM position: lumbarization lowers it, sacralization raises it.
- CM level is not affected by patient age, sex, or most pathologies.
- Findings provide crucial anatomical insights for conditions related to LSTV.
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