Skip to main content
Top
Published in: European Spine Journal 10/2020

Open Access 01-10-2020 | Original Article

Segmented lordotic angles to assess lumbosacral transitional vertebra on EOS

Authors: Domenico Albano, Carmelo Messina, Angelo Gambino, Martina Gurgitano, Carmelo Sciabica, Giordano Remo Oliveira Pavan, Salvatore Gitto, Luca Maria Sconfienza

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 10/2020

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

To test the vertical posterior vertebral angles (VPVA) of the most caudal lumbar segments measured on EOS to identify and classify the lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV).

Methods

We reviewed the EOS examinations of 906 patients to measure the VPVA at the most caudal lumbar segment (cVPVA) and at the immediately proximal segment (pVPVA), with dVPVA being the result of their difference. Mann–Whitney, Chi-square, and ROC curve statistics were used.

Results

172/906 patients (19%) had LSTV (112 females, mean age: 43 ± 21 years), and 89/172 had type I LSTV (52%), 42/172 type II (24%), 33/172 type III (19%), and 8/172 type IV (5%). The cVPVA and dVPVA in non-articulated patients were significantly higher than those of patients with LSTV, patients with only accessory articulations, and patients with only bony fusion (all p < .001). The cVPVA and dVPVA in L5 sacralization were significantly higher than in S1 lumbarization (p < .001). The following optimal cutoff was found: cVPVA of 28.2° (AUC = 0.797) and dVPVA of 11.1° (AUC = 0.782) to identify LSTV; cVPVA of 28.2° (AUC = 0.665) and dVPVA of 8° (AUC = 0.718) to identify type II LSTV; cVPVA of 25.5° (AUC = 0.797) and dVPVA of − 7.5° (AUC = 0.831) to identify type III–IV LSTV; cVPVA of 20.4° (AUC = 0.693) and dVPVA of − 1.8° (AUC = 0.665) to differentiate type II from III–IV LSTV; cVPVA of 17.9° (AUC = 0.741) and dVPVA of − 4.5° (AUC = 0.774) to differentiate L5 sacralization from S1 lumbarization.

Conclusion

The cVPVA and dVPVA measured on EOS showed good diagnostic performance to identify LSTV, to correctly classify it, and to differentiate L5 sacralization from S1 lumbarization.
Literature
2.
go back to reference Malanga GA, Cooke PM (2004) Segmental anomaly leading to wrong level disc surgery in cauda equina syndrome. Pain Physician 7:107–110PubMed Malanga GA, Cooke PM (2004) Segmental anomaly leading to wrong level disc surgery in cauda equina syndrome. Pain Physician 7:107–110PubMed
9.
go back to reference Yavuz U, Bayhan AI, Beng K, Emrem K, Uzun M (2012) Low back complaints worse, but not more frequent in subjects with congenital lumbosacral malformations: a study on 5000 recruits. Acta Orthop Belg 78:668–671PubMed Yavuz U, Bayhan AI, Beng K, Emrem K, Uzun M (2012) Low back complaints worse, but not more frequent in subjects with congenital lumbosacral malformations: a study on 5000 recruits. Acta Orthop Belg 78:668–671PubMed
20.
go back to reference Delport EG, Cucuzzella TR, Kim N, Marley J, Pruitt C, Delport AG (2006) Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae: incidence in a consecutive patient series. Pain Physician 9:53–56PubMed Delport EG, Cucuzzella TR, Kim N, Marley J, Pruitt C, Delport AG (2006) Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae: incidence in a consecutive patient series. Pain Physician 9:53–56PubMed
25.
go back to reference Dubousset J, Charpak G, Dorion I et al (2005) A new 2D and 3D imaging approach to musculoskeletal physiology and pathology with low-dose radiation and the standing position: the EOS system. Bull Acad Natl Med 189:287–297PubMed Dubousset J, Charpak G, Dorion I et al (2005) A new 2D and 3D imaging approach to musculoskeletal physiology and pathology with low-dose radiation and the standing position: the EOS system. Bull Acad Natl Med 189:287–297PubMed
Metadata
Title
Segmented lordotic angles to assess lumbosacral transitional vertebra on EOS
Authors
Domenico Albano
Carmelo Messina
Angelo Gambino
Martina Gurgitano
Carmelo Sciabica
Giordano Remo Oliveira Pavan
Salvatore Gitto
Luca Maria Sconfienza
Publication date
01-10-2020
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Spine Journal / Issue 10/2020
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-020-06565-7

Other articles of this Issue 10/2020

European Spine Journal 10/2020 Go to the issue

Announcement

Announcements