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Bertolotti's syndrome in low-backache population: Classification and imaging findings
Reddy Ravikanth1, Pooja Majumdar2
1Department of Radiology, St. John's Medical College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
Tzu Chi Medical Journal
|April 23, 2019
Summary
Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTVs) are common in low back pain patients, causing significantly higher pain scores. This study classified LSTV anatomical variations and their link to low backache (LBP).
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
- Anatomy
Background:
- Lumbosacral transition vertebrae (LSTVs) impact spinal biomechanics and surgical approaches.
- Accurate detection and classification of LSTVs are challenging with standard imaging techniques.
- Whole-spine imaging and geometric analysis improve LSTV detection accuracy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To classify anatomical variations of LSTVs.
- To determine the relationship between sacralization and low backache (LBP) using plain radiography.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of LSTV detection.
Main Methods:
- Examined 500 lumbosacral radiographs of LBP patients.
- Classified dysplastic transverse processes using the Castellvi radiographic classification system.
- Compared the incidence of sacralization in patients and control groups.
Main Results:
- The incidence of sacralization was 26.8% (134/500 patients).
- Castellvi Type IA was the most common variant (7.6%).
- LBP patients with LSTVs reported significantly higher VAS pain scores (5.2) compared to those without (2.2).
Conclusions:
- Lumbosacral transitional segments are a common cause of low backache.
- No significant relationship was found between LSTV anomaly and patient age or gender.
- LSTV patients experienced significantly higher pain intensity and longer pain duration than the non-specific LBP group.