Study of pedicles and spinal canal diameters at the level of lumbar vertebral in normal adult Saudi population using computed tomography

The values of normal transverse (interpedicular) and sagittal (midsagittal) diameters are different at various levels of lumbar spinal canal in individuals of the same race and differ at identical levels in individuals of various races.

The aim of the study was to determine normal reference range of the lumbar spinal canal dimensions and to evaluate lumbar pedicle dimensions with respect to spinal level, age, gender in Saudi population by using Computed Tomography.

 This study was conducted in Najran province (K.S.A), archival abdominal CT scan images from PACS in hospitals were used. The data of this study was collected from 210 (102 male and 108 female) normal Saudi adults individuals with different ages, gender over a period of 20 months (2019 - 2021).

The mean spinal canal transverse distance (SCTR) showed steady decrease from L1 to L4, as there was an increasing in (SCTR) at L5 relative to L4, The mean spinal canal anteroposterior diameter (SCAP) showed a decrease from L1 to L3, and then a gradual increase from L4 to L5 (Fig.4-10). This pattern was observed in males only as there was an increase of female (SCAP) at L2 and L5, and no significant gender difference was noted at any lumbar level for (SCAP)

The mean pedicle width (PW) showed steady increase from L1 to L5. While the mean pedicle height (PH) showed a gradual decrease from L1 to L5.

The study conclude that Computed tomography is a reliable method for determining the morphological measurements of the spinal canal and pedicles diameter.