Ct aided morphometric measurements of various pedicle parameters in different age groups of Indian population

Abstract

The mainobjective of our study was to quantify the trends invarious morphometric parameters of the pedicles of the Indian population in different age groups. A total of 200 patients between20–70 years age underwent standard thoraco-lumbar CT scan. The patients were grouped according to age: group 1 (20–30 years), group 2 (31–40years), group 3 (41–50years), group 4 (51-60 years) and group 5(61-70 years). Morphometric characteristics of transverse pedicle isthmus width, pedicle length & transverse pedicle angle from D6-L5 vertebrae were studied. Transverse pedicle isthmus width progressively increased from T6-T12, L1-L5 in both males and females. Maximum width being at S1 (mean 19.26mm) and minimum at T6 (mean 4.2mm). Pedicle width in thoracic vertebrae were slightly higher in older age groups while in lumbar vertebrae values were higher in younger age groups. Pedicle length gradually increased from T6-T12 (10.79mm-15.35mm) vertebrae while in lumbar vertebrae longest pedicle was found at L2 (14.08mm) and smallest at L5(12.04mm). With increasing age, angle of vertebral entry point also increased except being constant at some vertebral level.