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Measurement of the lumbar canal by computed tomography in the adult population

Abstract:

Introduction: One of the causes of lumbar pain is lumbar spinal canal stenosis, in which the anteroposterior and lateral dimensions of the lumbar canal bone are lower than normal according to gender, age and height. This is considered one of the causes of low back pain in the adult population. Measurement of the lumbar canal by computed tomography has proved to be a useful means to assess this pathology. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to estimate the approximate diameter of the lumbar canal in the healthy adult population of the Luis Vernaza General Hospital in the city of Guayaquil-Ecuador. Materials and methods: An observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was performed in 100 subjects, from the external consultation of Luis Vernaza General Hospital during a study period from January 1, 2017 to July 31, 2017. Measurements were made in tomographic sections of the anteroposterior and transverse diameter of the lumbar bone canal from L1 to L5. Descriptive statistics were used by frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations and range. Results: Mean age was 41.9±7.93 years (range 20-50 years), height 161±10 (range 134-182 cm), female gender was more prevalent 61% (n= 61). The predominant transverse mean was L1 with 18.68±2.68 mm, and the predominant anteroposterior mean was L1 16.23±2.57 mm. By stratification of age, the highest average transverse and anteroposterior diameter was found in L1. The values were directly proportional with height Conclusions: Segment L1 had the largest transverse diameter according to age and height. It is important to know the normal values of the diameters of the lumbar canal of Ecuadorian adults that allows a more accurate and early diagnosis of the spinal pathologies adjusted to our population.