The 3D morphometric analysis of sacroiliac joint and investigation with computerized tomography

Considering the sacroiliac joint as a very strong and complex structure and the most important task of it to mechanically transferring the power and to absorb the shocks, it is accepted that the morphological and degenerative changes in this region can cause a great deal of back and leg pain.The aim of this study is the morphometric analysis of the sacroiliac joint and the determination of the variations and degenerative changes in the periarticular tissues of the varying joints. The study was performed retrospectively on images of 145 patients 18-60 (mean 33) age group who were admitted to Gaziantep University Medical Faculty Department of Radiology polyclinic for computed tomography examination of pelvis and did not have any history of trauma in pelvis skeleton convenient to the purpose of this study. Additionally, 91 Sacrum bone belongs to pelvic skeleton in labarotories of Dapartment of Anatomy in Gaziantep University and Çukurova University were included to the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows version 22.0 and p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. In our study, 6 types of anatomic variations were detected. Iliosacral complex variation determined as the most common type of variation. The incidence of variations of SJ in all cases was 27.9%. The joint space of SJ was found to be over 2 mm in the joints without variation, while in the joints showing variation was less than 2 mm. Depressions and impressions on the surface of the sacroiliac joint were found to have different values on the right and left sides in individuals. Surface area of auricular joint surface was found to be larger in men. In our study, it is thought that the knowledge of variations in normal population and periarticular degenerative changes will contribute to better understanding of normal morphological structure of SJ and to anatomical literature. In addition, knowledge of variations in the normal appearance of SJ is important for the better interpretation of radiologists during the evaluation of CT examinations. We have carried out this study because we think that it will provide a different perspective to the works that have been proven in the last century. Key words: Sacroiliac joint, Degenerative changes, Os sacrum, Accessory joint, Retrospective