[Transabdominal lumbal ultrasonic tomometry--sonographic measurement of the lumbar spine]

Transabdominal sonography was carried out on 102 lumbar segments that were myelographically without abnormalities of the dural sack. A sector probe with a frequency of 3.5 mHz was used as transducer. Diameters of lumbar discs and lumbar canal were measured in a transversal plane. Echogenicity of the epidural fat in the lumbar canal allows to depict both the limitation of the dorsal outline of the lumbar discs and the dorsolateral vertebral arch. The following mean values were calculated for the spinal canal: Sagittal diameter-L5/S1:18.5 mm, L4/5:20.4 mm, L3/4:19.9 mm Transversal diameter-L5/S1:20.9 mm, L4/5: 21.4 mm, L3/4:21.2 mm Sonographic measurement of the spinal canal is possible.