Assessment of the Asymmetry of the Intervertebral Foramina within the Lower Motion Segments of the Lumbar Spine on the Computer Tomography Sections

Asymmetry in the degenerative lumbar spine may eventually evolve to debilitating scoliosis. The point where it starts to accelerate in some individuals is obscure. Discreet preclinical asymmetry may be a prognostic feature of the condition. The aim of this study was to assess the asymmetry of the intervertebral foramina of lower lumbar motion segments of the spine based on morphometric measurements using novel techniques of three-dimensional imaging. Computed tomography scans of 19 subjects with axial low back pain aged 50 to 78 of both sexes were digitally processed, and 3D reconstruction of L4/L5 and L5/S1 motion segments were obtained. The planes of intervertebral foramina were defined in reference to the axis of the pedicles bordering the intervertebral canal and the measurements were performed yielding absolute values in millimeters. The circumference ranged from 33.4 mm to 63.86 mm on the left side and from 33.01 mm to 73.54 mm on the right side. The horizontal dimension ranged from 6.86 mm to 17.84 mm on the left side and from 5.41 mm to 17.63 mm on the right side. The vertical dimension ranged from 10.17 mm to 23.65 mm on the left side and from 9.04 mm to 29.69 mm on the right side. All the measurements were combined to assess the asymmetry. Only in three cases (15%), symmetry in both segments was confirmed. No defined lateralization of asymmetry was found, as well as no significant link between the sex and age could be confirmed. This is the first study confirming the asymmetry among the intervertebral foramina. It seems that it is the dominant phenotype for intervertebral foramina. As the observed asymmetry lacks the dominant lateralization, it may be linked with the same trait of degenerative scoliosis. Though no direct link between the age and sex was confirmed in this study, it suggests other factors should be considered in prediction of the progress and magnitude of the deformity.

Automated summary

This study assessed the asymmetry of the intervertebral foramina in the degenerative lumbar spine using three-dimensional imaging techniques. It found that only a small percentage of cases had symmetry in both intervertebral segments and there was no significant link between asymmetry and sex or age. This is the first study to confirm the asymmetry of the intervertebral foramina, which may be related to degenerative scoliosis. Other factors should be considered when predicting the progression and magnitude of the deformity.