Variable morphology of the sacrum in a Chinese population

Abstract

Although several morphological variations of sacrum have been reported in western populations, little attention has been paid to this anatomic issue in eastern people, and classification of sacral variability in particular. In this research of sacral morphology in Chinese people, we investigated and measured thoroughly and systematically 203 specimens of intact dry Chinese adult sacra. Morphological features of sacral variations were observed by visual inspection, and correlation parameters of variability were measured with a vernier caliper. The incidence of sacral variations was calculated. We found that the overall rate of sacral variations was 58.1% (male: 57.4%; female: 59.5%). The anatomical variants that we observed fell into the following five categories: accessory auricular surface (25 specimens, 12.3%); sacral skewness (48 specimens, 23.6%); transitional vertebra (34 specimens, 16.7%); sacral spina bifida occulta (57 specimens, 28.1%), Degrees I, II, and III of which were 36, 14, and 7 specimens, respectively; multiple variations (42 specimens, 20.7%), the types of which were diversified. This study reveals that sacral variations are common in Chinese population. The sacral variants in anatomic morphology should be taken into consideration when diagnosing and treating sacrum-related diseases.

Anatomic Determinants of Sacral Dysmorphism and Implications for Safe Iliosacral Screw Placement

“…Using this definition of sacral dysmorphism, we found a 41% prevalence of the condition. This is at the higher end of the prevalences reported in other studies 29,36 ; a possible explanation for that is the ethnic composition of our cohort, with a 73% prevalence of minority ethnicities. In the principal components analysis, Latino, African American, and Asian ethnicity were identified as significant determinants of variation in sacral morphology.…”

Pathogenesis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in girls - a double neuro-osseous theory involving disharmony between two nervous systems, somatic and autonomic expressed in the spine and trunk: possible dependency on sympathetic nervous system and hormones with implications for medical therapy

“…Extra-spinal skeletal length asymmetry is also found in ilio-femoral lengths [35]. More such asymmetries need to be sought in other bilateral bones of AIS girls - sacral alae [153-155], clavicles and scapulae.…”

“…(12) Search for extra-spinal skeletal length asymmetries in AIS girls in other bilateral bones - sacral alae [153-155], clavicles and scapulae (Figure 1). …”

Variations in Sacral Morphology and Implications for Iliosacral Screw Fixation

“…5,8 Indications for iliosacral screw fixation include complete sacral fractures (ie, fractures that extend through the sacrum in its entirety, anterior to posterior), sacroiliac joint disruptions, and combinations of these posterior pelvic injuries following reduction. [15][16][17][18][19][20] Sacral dysmorphism has been identified in almost half of the adult population; these variants complicate the interpretation of sacral anatomy, which is necessary for safe placement of iliosacral screws. First, the posterior pelvic fracture or dislocation must be reduced.…”