CT measurement of sagittal endplate morphology of the adult lower lumbar spine

• DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0253-2352.2015.12.007
• Publication Date: 2015-12-01
• Authors: Wenzhi Sun; Shibao Lu; Yong Hai; Zang Lei; Nan Kang; Xianglong Meng; Yu Wang

Objective To measure the sagittal endplate morphology parameters of adult lower lumbar spine (L3-S1) and to explore its significance in design modification artificial intervertebral disc interbody fusion cage.

Methods Three-dimensional CT reconstructions were obtained 80 healthy volunteers. Sagittal concavity angle (SCA), apex (ECA) depth (ECD) L3 inferior S1 superior midsagittal plane measured. According age (>40 years or ≤40 years) gender, we divided all images into four groups. The shapes flat, oblong ex-centric at same time. endplate, SCA ECD, ECA endplates among different groups, vertebral adjacent ECD segment measured compared.

Results A sexor age-related difference could not be found endplate. locations only between ones L3, L5. L5 men less than forty old women was significant. always larger (L4, L5). In each (L3,4, L4,5, L5S1), smaller vertebra (P<0.05).

Conclusion Most are concave besides S1. And location is posterior half endplates. Age gender have certain effect on but ECA.

Key words: Adult; Lumbar vertebrae; Tomography, X-ray computed