Lower three lumbar intervertebral foramina measurements of adult Egyptians in relation to age and sex using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

El-shetry, Eman S.; Elwan, Nahed Mohamed; Mohamad, Heba A E; Elsayed, Mohammad Ezzat; Ibrahim, Amal Al-Shahat

doi:10.21608/zumj.2021.83607.2273

Lower three lumbar intervertebral foramina measurements of adult Egyptians in relation to age and sex using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Anatomy & embryology department, faculty of medicine, zagazig university, Egypt

² demonstrator of Human Anatomy & Embryology zagazig university , Egypt

³ assistant professor of radiology , zagazig university , Egypt

⁴ lecturer of neurosurgery department zagazig university, Egypt

⁵ anatomy department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University

10.21608/zumj.2021.83607.2273

Abstract

Background: Intervertebral foramina(IVF) are present between adjacent vertebrae allowing connection between the vertebral canal and extra spinal elements. IVF acts as a tunnel transmitting roots of the spinal nerves and vascular structures which supply the spinal cord. Orientation of spinal cord vascularization is very important to all radiologists performing interventional procedures. Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine normal variations in dimensions of lumbar IVF at (L3- L4, L4- L5 & L5- S1) levels using Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) in relation to age and sex to give basis for Egyptian measurements. Subjects and methods: Total number of studied individuals was (120) healthy individuals of both sexes with normal MRI. Subjects of study were divided into two age groups; Group(A) includes 90 persons whose ages ranged between 18-40 years old and Group(B) includes 30 persons whose ages ranged between 40-48 years old. The study was done using high field(1.5) Tesla magnetic resonance system in radiology units of Zagazig University Hospitals from April, 2017 to December, 2019. Results: Lumbar IVF dimensions were larger in the younger age group at the same levels and also larger in males than females at L3-L4 and L5-S1 levels. At L4-L5 level there was no difference in relation to age and sex. Conclusion: Application of this study can act as a data base for establishment of Egyptian measurements using MRI. IVF narrowing is responsible for different neurological symptoms that may need surgical intervention due to nerve root compression. Key words: Lumbar, intervertebral foramen, MRI, spine, measurement.

Keywords