Burhan KURTULUŞ, Osman Yağız ATLI, Evrim DUMAN

The prevalence of anomalies in the lumbar spine in the Turkish male population

Aim: It was aimed to determine the prevalence of lumbosacral anomalies in young male population. Methods: 56.798 male patients, between 18–49 years old, were included in this study during their medical screening in Dışkapı Yıldırım Beyazıt Training and Research Hospital, from July 2016– July 2022. The presence of spina bifida occulta (SBO) and transitional vertebrae (TV) anomalies were recorded in the candidates. SBO patients were evaluated according to their S1 and L5 origins, and TV patients were evaluated separately according to sacralization and lumbarization. We identified transitional vertebrae by counting down from the last thoracic vertebra on the AP X-rays, then if necessary looking at the lateral view for confirmation. If hypoplastic ribs were identified, the vertebra immediately beneath would be designated as L1. Castellvi types I, II, III, and IV were included as transitional states. Results: 56798 patients were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was 23.28 (18-49 years). Radiological anomalies were detected in 2577 (4.5%) of 56798 cases. No radiological anomaly was observed in other cases. Spina bifida occulta was detected in 1478 (2,6%) patients. Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae were detected in 1099 cases (1.9%). 745 (1.3%) of these anomalies are sacralization and 354 (0.6%) of them are lumbalization. Conclusion: In the light of this information, we think that knowing the frequency of lumbosacral anomalies, especially LSVT, in our society should be considered in the evaluation before spinal surgery operations.

Keywords:

Lumbar spine Spina Bifida Occulta, Sacralization, Lumbalization,

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