Vertebrae at the thoracolumbar junction: A quantitative assessment using CT scans

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Radiology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• The thoracolumbar junction is prone to traumatic injuries due to biomechanical instability.
• Changes in spinal curvature and facet orientation contribute to this instability.
• Quantitative differentiation of vertebrae at this junction using CT scans is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical applicability of quantitative measurements for differentiating vertebrae at the thoracolumbar junction using CT scans.
• To record congenital defects or variations in the spine.
• To establish a method for distinguishing thoracic, lumbar, and transitional vertebrae.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective assessment of 173 CT scans from the Windhoek population.
• Quantitative measurement of superior facet angles at the thoracolumbar junction (T11-L1) using radio-imaging software.
• Analysis focused on differentiating vertebral types based on facet orientation.

Main Results:

• Quantitative morphometry of superior facet angles successfully differentiates between thoracic, lumbar, and transitional vertebrae.
• All identified thoracolumbar transitional vertebrae (TLTV) cases were associated with other congenital spinal anomalies.
• The study provides a reproducible method for analyzing the thoracolumbar junction.

Conclusions:

• Quantitative superior facet angle measurements are a viable clinical tool for differentiating vertebral types at the thoracolumbar junction.
• This technique can aid in the diagnosis of spinal anomalies and variations.
• The association between TLTV and other congenital anomalies warrants further investigation.