Abstract
Objective: The primary objective of this study is to examine the relationship between the shape and size to age and sex of the L4/L5 intervertebral foramen, using a morphometric approach to enhance understanding of these associations.
Design: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study.
Materials and Method: The relevant data for the morphometric analysis includes MRI images of the lumbar spine. This study is divided into two parts: a reliability study and a subject study. Horos software was used to measure the intervertebral foramen (IVF) with the MRI images retrieved via DICOM.
Result: The investigation revealed a strong positive correlation between RW2 and RW3 (r = 0.889, p < 0.01), followed by LW2 and LW3 (r = 0.887, p < 0.01), indicating that these dimensions vary significantly. RH1 shows a statistically significant difference between genders, with p < 0.001. The chi-square test for the RIVF shapes revealed a Pearson value of 17.610 with 3 degrees of freedom and an asymptotic significance (2-sided) of less than 0.001.
Discussion: These findings are consistent with the literature on degenerative changes in the spinal structure. The strong positive correlations among the dimensions of the IVF suggest a degree of bilateral symmetry or mutual influence, which could be of interest for further anatomical and clinical studies.
Conclusion: The results revealed significant age and sex disparities in the intervertebral foramen. This study clarifies the anatomical variations in the lumbar region between sexes and contributes to a better understanding of spinal disorders.
Design: It is a retrospective cross-sectional study.
Materials and Method: The relevant data for the morphometric analysis includes MRI images of the lumbar spine. This study is divided into two parts: a reliability study and a subject study. Horos software was used to measure the intervertebral foramen (IVF) with the MRI images retrieved via DICOM.
Result: The investigation revealed a strong positive correlation between RW2 and RW3 (r = 0.889, p < 0.01), followed by LW2 and LW3 (r = 0.887, p < 0.01), indicating that these dimensions vary significantly. RH1 shows a statistically significant difference between genders, with p < 0.001. The chi-square test for the RIVF shapes revealed a Pearson value of 17.610 with 3 degrees of freedom and an asymptotic significance (2-sided) of less than 0.001.
Discussion: These findings are consistent with the literature on degenerative changes in the spinal structure. The strong positive correlations among the dimensions of the IVF suggest a degree of bilateral symmetry or mutual influence, which could be of interest for further anatomical and clinical studies.
Conclusion: The results revealed significant age and sex disparities in the intervertebral foramen. This study clarifies the anatomical variations in the lumbar region between sexes and contributes to a better understanding of spinal disorders.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 23-30 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | International Medical Journal |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2025 |
Keywords
- MRI
- lumbar L4/L5
- intervertebral foramen (IVF)
- morphometric analysis