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Measurements of the normal lumbar spinal canal by computed tomography

Mensurations tomodensitométriques du canal vertébral lombaire normal — Etude segmentaire en L3–L4 et L4–L5 rapportée à la taille des sujets

Segmental study of L3–L4 and L4–L5 related to the height of the subject

  • Radiological Anatomy
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Summary

Computed tomography measurements of the main diameters and cross section areas of the lumbar vertebral canal and the lower end of the dural sac at the L3–L4 and L4–L5 levels were made in 34 young male adults who were free of symptoms. This study shows a statistically significant correlation between the height of the subject and the cross sectional area of the canal and the dural sac, and the interpedicular diameter. The determination of regression coefficients enabled an estimate to be made of the mean values of these parameters in relation to height, the actual values having a normal distribution around these means. This study suggest that the areas, when narrowing is suspected, should be interpreted as a function of the height of the subject.

Résumé

Les mesures TDM des principaux diamètres et surfaces du canal vertébral lombaire et du cul-de-sac dural en L3–L4 et L4–L5 sont effectuées chez 43 adultes jeunes, de sexe masculin, strictement asymptomatiques. Cette étude montre l'existence d'une corrélation statistiquement significative entre la taille des sujets et certaines mesures : surface du canal, surface du fourreau dural, diamètre interpédiculaire. La détermination d'une droite de régression permet d'apprécier la valeur moyenne de ces paramètres en fonction de la taille, les valeurs normales se répartissent autour de cette moyenne dans les limites de l'écart-type. Cette étude suggère que les valeurs de surface, mesurées lors de l'étude des canaux rétrécis, doivent être interprétées en fonction de la taille des sujets.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Médecin des Armées, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées de Brest, France

    P Gouzien, C Cazalbou, B Boyer, P Darodes de Tailly & Y Guenec

  2. Département d'Anatomie, Faculté de Médecine, 22, avenue Camille-Desmoulins, F-29285, Brest Cedex, France

    B Boyer, P Darodes de Tailly & B Sénécail (Professeur d'Anatomie et d'Imagerie Médicale au Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Brest)

Authors
  1. P Gouzien
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  2. C Cazalbou
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  3. B Boyer
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  4. P Darodes de Tailly
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  5. Y Guenec
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  6. B Sénécail
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Gouzien, P., Cazalbou, C., Boyer, B. et al. Measurements of the normal lumbar spinal canal by computed tomography. Surg Radiol Anat 12, 143–148 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01623341

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01623341

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