Significant morphometric differences in the L4-L5 intervertebral foramen: A cross-sectional study

The present study involves employed a cross-sectional analysis of lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The purpose of the study is to quantify the variations of diameters of the intervertebral foramen (IVF) at the level of L4/L5 vertebrae. The IVF serves as a crucial gateway through which nerve roots and spinal nerves exit the spine. This area is particularly susceptible to compression due to a reduction in foraminal width or height that occurs with age. Frequent compression of the nerve roots can lead to radiculopathy, resulting in pain in the lower back and legs. Understanding the variations of the IVF at the L4/L5 region as we age is essential.

A purposive sampling method was used for data collection in this study, which consists of two parts: a reliability study and a subject study. To measure the reliability consistency, an intraclass correlation coefficient and Pearson's correlation coefficient were calculated. MRI scans of the lumbar spines of 149 subjects were selected for these measurements.

In assessing intraobserver reliability for measurement W1, Cronbach's alpha values were found to be 0.500 for the right IVF and 0.902 for the left IVF, indicating moderate-to-high reliability. The most common shape observed in Cluster 2 for the right IVF is pyriform, which appears 10 times (45.5%). In addition, the IVF in male's transitions to a teardrop shape as age increases.

This research shows variations in the diameter of IVF as age increases which enhances our understanding of age-related anatomical variations in the lumbar region between genders and adds to the overall knowledge of spinal disorders.