Abstract
Introduction: The Lumbar Spinal Canal (LSC) dimension is known to vary among races, and is marginally smaller in blacks than in whites. The average diameters of 16mm for anteroposterior (AP) and 20mm for transverse diameters were derived in the past from studies on bone specimens and radiographs, and more recently from Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). These investigation modalities which are most accurate for LSC dimensions were largely on Caucasian populations. As a result, there is a lack of consensus among spine surgeons as to what constitutes radiological narrowing of the lumbar spine in people of black heritage.
Objectives: To describe the normal spinal canal dimension using CT scan images of people of a black population in Nigeria.
Research Design: This was a retrospective study that measured lumbar spinal canal parameters from abdominal CT scan images.
Methodology: It evaluated 120 abdominal CT scan images done between July 1st, 2017 and June 30th, 2019 at Lagoon Hospitals, Lagos. Data collection was on a structured proforma and subjected to statistical analysis.
Results: The mean anteroposterior diameter, APD was 15.8 (SD ±2.0)mm. The mean transverse diameter, TD was 25.82 (SD ± 2.4)mm. The mean Vertebral Torg ratio was 0.62. The narrowest APD of the lumbar canal was at L3 for both sexes while the widest point of the canal in males was at L1, and at L5 in females. The narrowest TD was at L1 while the widest point was at L5. The prevalence of developmental lumbar canal stenosis was 2.67%.
Conclusion: The average APD of the lumbar canal in Nigerians is 15.8 (SD ± 2)mm. The narrowest point of the lumbar canal is at L3.
Keywords: Lumbar Spinal canal, Nigerians, CT scan, stenosis
Résumé
Contexte: La dimension du canal rachidien lombaire (LSC) est connue pour varier selon les races, et est légèrement plus petite chez les noirs que chez les blancs. Les diamètres moyens de 16 mm pour les diamètres antéro-postérieur (AP) et 20 mm pour les diamètres transversaux ont été dérivés dans le passé d’études sur des échantillons osseux et des radiographies, et plus récemment de la tomographie par ordinateur (CT) et de l’imagerie par résonance magnétique (IRM). Ces modalités d’enquête qui sont les plus précises pour les dimensions LSC étaient en grande partie sur les populations de race Blanche. En conséquence, il y a un manque de consensus parmi les chirurgiens de la colonne vertébrale sur ce qui constitue un rétrécissement radiologique de la colonne lombaire chez les personnes d’origine noire.
Objectifs: Décrire la dimension normale du canal rachidien à l’aide d’images tomodensitométriques de personnes d’une population noire au Nigéria.
Conception de la recherche: Il s’agissait d’une étude rétrospective qui mesurait les paramètres du canal rachidien lombaire à partir d’images tomodensitométriques abdominales.
Méthodologie: Il a évalué 120 images de tomodensitométrie abdominale réalisées entre le 1er juillet 2017 et le 30 juin 2019 dans les hôpitaux Lagoon de Lagos. La collecte des données a été effectuée sur un formulaire structuré et soumise à une analyse statistique.
Résultats: Le diamètre antéropostérieur moyen, APD était de 15,8 (ET ± 2,0) mm. Le diamètre transversal moyen, TD était de 25,82 (ET ± 2,4) mm. Le ratio moyen de Torg vertébral était de 0,62. La DPA la plus étroite du canal lombaire était à L3 pour les deux sexes tandis que le point le plus large du canal chez les mâles était à L1 et à L5 chez les femelles. Le TD le plus étroit était à L1 tandis que le point le plus large était à L5. La prévalence de la sténose développementale du canal lombaire était de 2,67%.
Conclusion: L’APD moyenne du canal lombaire chez les Nigérians est de 15,8 (SD ± 2) mm. Le point le plus étroit du canal lombaire est en L3.
Mots clés: canal rachidien lombaire, Nigérians, tomodensitométrie, sténose
Correspondence: Dr. O. J. Alonge, Department of Orthopedics, University College Hospital, Ibadan. Nigeria. E-mail: kunle.alonge@yahoo.co.uk
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