The Evaluation of Paraspinal Markers in the Numbering of the Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae

Abstract

Objective: Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (TV) are a common congenital anomaly and known to be associated with chronic low back pain. The purpose of this study is to reveal the value of the paraspinal markers such as celiac artery (CA), superior mesenteric artery (SMA), right renal artery (RRA) origins, abdominal aorta bifurcation (AAB), and iliolumbar ligament (IL) in the correct numbering of lumbosacral TV on computed tomography (CT) imaging. Materials and Methods: The cases with aged from 18-65 years who underwent the whole-body CT imaging between the dates January 2015 and December 2017 were assessed retrospectively. Results: Of the 380 cases (age 53.4±10.8 years; 164 women and 216 men) included in the study, 51 (13.4%) had TV. A significant difference was determined in terms of the level of CA, SMA, RRA origin, AAB, and IL between the cases with TV and normal spinal segmentation (p<0.001). Conclusion: There are significant differences in terms of the localization of the CA, SMA, RRA origins, AAB, and IL levels between the subjects with normal spinal segmentation and TV. Therefore, the use of these marks may result in inaccuracy of the vertebral numbering.