Role of L5 Nerve Root Morphology in Identification of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra. Is it a Reliable Indicator?

Authors

  • Sara Khan Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital Multan/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Adil Qayyum Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital Multan/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Nazia Dildar Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital Kharian/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Asma Jabeen Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital Abbottabad/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Salahuddin Baloch Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital Kharian/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan
  • Ruquiyya Adil Department of Radiology, Combined Military Hospital Multan/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v74i5.4340

Keywords:

L5 nerve root morphology, lumbosacral Transitional vertebra(LSTV), Magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

 

Objective: To determine whether L5 nerve root morphology can assist in identification Lumbosacral Transitional vertebra.

Study Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Radiology Department, Combined Military Hospital, Multan Pakistan, Apr 2019 to Apr 2020.

Methodology: Patients of both genders, 15 to 50 years age who underwent whole spine MRI were included in the study. Patients were referred from Combined Military Hospital Multan, from neighboring Combined Military Hospitals and Civil. Sagittal and axial T1WS and T2WS were performed along with coronal T2WS/FS sequences. Axial images were assessed for identification of L5 nerve root arising from LV5-SV1 level and hence vertebra was identified as LV5. Correlation was done with sagittal images for presence of Transitional vertebra, further confirmed by counting vertebral bodies from C2 vertebra upto sacrum using cross referencing tool.

Results: A total of 135 patients were included in the study. Out of these, transitional vertebra was confidently labeled in 23 patients by nerve identification method which was confirmed on vertebral counting method. However, in four patients, L5 nerve root morphology was not clear and we had to rely on vertebral counting method for identification of transitional vertebra.

Conclusion: Neuroanatomy and morphology of exiting L5 nerve roots can act as a reliable method for numbering of lumbosacral vertebra and identification of transitional vertebra.

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Published

31-10-2024

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How to Cite

1.
Khan S, Qayyum A, Dildar N, Jabeen A, Baloch S, Adil R. Role of L5 Nerve Root Morphology in Identification of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra. Is it a Reliable Indicator?. Pak Armed Forces Med J [Internet]. 2024 Oct. 31 [cited 2024 Dec. 3];74(5):1445-50. Available from: https://pafmj.org/PAFMJ/article/view/4340