Symptomatic and morphometric analysis of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae

Aim: We wanted to determine the prevalence of LSGV, lumbalisation and sacralisation in people living in Erzincan region and to determine whether there is a correlation between morphometric measurements and pain. Material and Method: MR images of 1164 patients with lumbosacral region of Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University Mengücek Gazi Training and Research Hospital between 01/01/2020-31/07/2022 were retrospectively scanned. Geriatric patients over 69 years of age, patients with scoliosis, pelvic and spinal surgery and trauma were excluded. A total of 274 eligible patients (119 males, 155 females) were identified and their gender and age were recorded. Results: Of 274 patients, 121 (44.2%) were male and 153 (55.8%) were female. Age was similar in gender groups. Lumbalisation was seen in 264 (96.4%) and sacralisation in 10 (3.6%) of 274 patients with LSGV. When the age distribution was examined in the groups with lumbalisation and sacralisation, the median value of age was similar. When the pain status was analysed, 169 patients (61.7%) had pain and 105 patients (38.3%) had no pain. Pain positivity rates (60.0% and 61.7%) were statistically similar in the LSGV (S) and LSGV(L) groups. Intervertebral disc heights, foramen vertebrale antero-posterior diameters, right and left foramen intervertebrale heights were measured and statistically evaluated in patients with LSGV. Conclusion: LSGV prevalence was 23.53%, sacralisation prevalence was 0.85% and lumbalisation prevalence was 22.68%. In our study, there was a correlation between L 4-5 IVDh measurement and right-left FIVh measurements in the groups with and without pain, but this correlation was lower in the group with pain. L 4-5 IVDh value was higher in those with pain compared to those without pain. Although pain was lower (53.4%) in the group with FVAPd less than 10 mm (0), higher in the group with FVAPd between 10-12 mm (1) and above 12 mm (2), it was not statistically significant. Right-left FIVh was similar in the groups with and without pain.