Evaluation of spinopelvic parameters in patients with lumbosacral transitional vertebra: a cross sectional and comparative study

Introduction: Lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) is the most common congenital anomaly of the lumbosacral junction and is a frequent cause of back pain in young patients with a prevalence of 4.6% to 36% in different regions.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate spinopelvic parameters in patients with lumbosacral transitional vertebra and to compare them with the same parameters of low back ache patients without lumbosacral transitional vertebra.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional and comparative study conducted among low back ache patients presenting to our tertiary care center.

Low back ache patients presenting to the outpatient department of AIIMS Jodhpur were screened for LSTV using radiographs.

The spinopelvic parameters of those with LSTV were measured using Surgimap software and compared with the parameters of low back ache patients without LSTV.

An Independent sample t-test was done and p-values were calculated.

Results: The spinopelvic parameters, pelvic incidence, pelvic tilt and lumbar lordosis differed significantly in the patients with LSTV.

Pelvic incidence was higher in the group with LSTV (58.5+9.3) when compared to the group without LSTV (50+8.8) with a p-value (<0.001).

Pelvic tilt was higher in the group with LSTV (19.4+8.8) when compared to the group without LSTV (13.6+7.8) with a p-value (0.001).

Lumbar lordosis was significantly higher in the group with LSTV (57.6+13.2) when compared to the group without LSTV (50.7+12.2) with a p-value (0.007).

No significant differences were obtained in sacral slope and Pelvic-incidence and lumbar lordosis mismatch.

Conclusion: LSTV alters the spinopelvic parameters.

Altered spinopelvic parameters predispose to spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disease, and facet joint arthritis and are important in preoperative planning in spine and pelvic surgeries.