Investigation of the morphometry properties of lumbal vertebra and intervertebral disc in patients with lumbar disc hernia

Lumbar region herniations are an important factor that can cause disruptions in people's daily activities. Therefore, a detailed examination of the changes in the anatomy of the lumbar region is of great importance for the effectiveness of surgical interventions. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the changes in the lumbar region morphology caused by disc herniation in women and men according to age. For this retrospective study, images were taken from the Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University Medical Faculty Hospital Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) system and measurements were made. A total of 200 individuals, 100 women and 100 men, with lumbar disc herniation were included in the study. Patients diagnosed with osteophytes in the lumbar vertebrae and those who had undergone trauma and surgery were not included in the study. Morphometric measurements in our study were made using the SECTRA program using sagittal and axial images of individuals who underwent lumbar magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. As a result of our study, the anterior, posterior and middle heights of the lumbar vertebrae were found to be significant according to gender (p<0.001). The anterior, posterior and middle height of the lumbar vertebrae and the relationship with age were not found significant (p>0.050). A significant difference was found between the anterior heights of the discus intervertebralis of L1-L2 and L4-L5 due to gender (p=0.001). A significant difference was found between the posterior heights of the discus intervertebralis of L1-L2 and L2-L3 due to gender and age (p=0.003, p<0.001). The difference was found significant between all measured disc depths due to gender (p<0.001). The relationship between the wedge index values measured at the L2-L3 levels according to gender and age was found significant. The Cobb angle values according to gender and age were found significant (p=0.044, p<0.001). The relationship between the posterior height of the discus intervertebralis and age was found significant (p=0.007). The wedge index of all participants according to age was found significant. We think that our results will contribute to the literature in surgical methods and treatments.