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Changes in L4/5 Intervertebral Foramen Bony Morphology with Age
Shuaifeng Yan1, Kai Wang1, Yunfan Zhang1
1Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200120, China.
Scientific Reports
|May 18, 2018
Summary
Aging causes changes in the L4/5 intervertebral foramen, particularly in its inner part. Foraminal height decreases with age in the inside sagittal slice, impacting nerve root space.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Radiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Age-related degenerative changes in the spine are common.
- Intervertebral foramen morphology can be affected by aging, potentially impacting neural structures.
- Understanding these changes is crucial for diagnosing spinal pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To digitally investigate age-related morphological alterations of the L4/5 intervertebral foramen.
- To quantify changes in the space between the nerve root and the intervertebral foramen boundaries across different age groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Mimics software to define intervertebral foramen boundaries in sagittal slices (inner, middle, outer).
- Developed a custom program for quantitative analysis of the distance between nerve roots and foramen boundaries.
- Employed radar and line charts for morphological and statistical analysis across age groups.
Main Results:
- Significant morphological changes in the intervertebral foramen were observed primarily in the inner part from middle to old age.
- A decrease in foraminal height was noted with age in the inside sagittal slice.
- No significant age-related decrease in foraminal width was found across any sagittal plane.
Conclusions:
- The study provides quantitative data on age-related foraminal geometry in asymptomatic males.
- These findings enhance understanding of anatomical changes in the intervertebral foramen with aging.
- This knowledge aids in better comprehension and diagnosis of intervertebral foramen diseases.
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