Analysis of apex and transitional vertebra of the spine according to pelvic incidence using orientation and position parameters

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of lumbar sacralization on the level of vertebral slip and disc degeneration in patients with L4 spondylolysis.METHODSThe authors analyzed data from 102 cases in which patients underwent surgical treatment for L4 spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis at their institution between March 2007 and September 2016. Lumbar sacralization was characterized by the presence of pseudarthrosis and/or bony fusion between the L5 transverse process and sacrum, and the type of lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) was evaluated with the Castellvi classification. The amount of vertebral slippage was measured using the Taillard technique and Meyerding grade. Degeneration of the L4–5 segment was quantified using the Pfirrmann and Modic classifications. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of sacralization, and the amount of vertebral slip and degeneration of the L4–5 segment was compared between groups.RESULTSLumbar sacralization was present in 37 (36%) of 102 patients with L4 spondylolysis. The LSTV was type IIa in 10 cases, type IIb in 7, type IIIa in 2, and type IIIb in 18. The levels of vertebral slip and disc degeneration in the group of patients with sacralization were significantly greater than in the group without sacralization. No significant difference was found between the 2 groups with respect to Modic changes.CONCLUSIONSThe increased stability between a sacralized L5 and the sacrum may predispose the L4–5 segment to greater instability and disc degeneration in patients with L4 spondylolysis.

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The impact of increasing interbody fusion levels at the fractional curve on lordosis, curve correction, and complications in adult patients with scoliosis

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2020.6.spine20256 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

Dominic Amara ◽

Praveen V. Mummaneni ◽

Shane Burch ◽

Vedat Deviren ◽

Christopher P. Ames ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Postoperative Complications ◽

Revision Surgery ◽

Lumbar Lordosis ◽

Interbody Fusion ◽

Pelvic Incidence ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Lumbar Interbody Fusion ◽

Curve Correction ◽

Surgery Rates

OBJECTIVERadiculopathy from the fractional curve, usually from L3 to S1, can create severe disability. However, treatment methods of the curve vary. The authors evaluated the effect of adding more levels of interbody fusion during treatment of the fractional curve.METHODSA single-institution retrospective review of adult patients treated for scoliosis between 2006 and 2016 was performed. Inclusion criteria were as follows: fractional curves from L3 to S1 > 10°, ipsilateral radicular symptoms concordant on the fractional curve concavity side, patients who underwent at least 1 interbody fusion at the level of the fractional curve, and a minimum 1-year follow-up. Primary outcomes included changes in fractional curve correction, lumbar lordosis change, pelvic incidence − lumbar lordosis mismatch change, scoliosis major curve correction, and rates of revision surgery and postoperative complications. Secondary analysis compared the same outcomes among patients undergoing posterior, anterior, and lateral approaches for their interbody fusion.RESULTSA total of 78 patients were included. There were no significant differences in age, sex, BMI, prior surgery, fractional curve degree, pelvic tilt, pelvic incidence, pelvic incidence − lumbar lordosis mismatch, sagittal vertical axis, coronal balance, scoliotic curve magnitude, proportion of patients undergoing an osteotomy, or average number of levels fused among the groups. The mean follow-up was 35.8 months (range 12–150 months). Patients undergoing more levels of interbody fusion had more fractional curve correction (7.4° vs 12.3° vs 12.1° for 1, 2, and 3 levels; p = 0.009); greater increase in lumbar lordosis (−1.8° vs 6.2° vs 13.7°, p = 0.003); and more scoliosis major curve correction (13.0° vs 13.7° vs 24.4°, p = 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences among the groups with regard to postoperative complications (overall rate 47.4%, p = 0.85) or need for revision surgery (overall rate 30.7%, p = 0.25). In the secondary analysis, patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) had a greater increase in lumbar lordosis (9.1° vs −0.87° for ALIF vs transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion [TLIF], p = 0.028), but also higher revision surgery rates unrelated to adjacent-segment pathology (25% vs 4.3%, p = 0.046). Higher ALIF revision surgery rates were driven by rod fracture in the majority (55%) of cases.CONCLUSIONSMore levels of interbody fusion resulted in increased lordosis, scoliosis curve correction, and fractional curve correction. However, additional levels of interbody fusion up to 3 levels did not result in more postoperative complications or morbidity. ALIF resulted in a greater lumbar lordosis increase than TLIF, but ALIF had higher revision surgery rates.

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Sagittal radiographic parameters in the presence of lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV): relationships between measurements using the upper vs lower transitional vertebra

Spine Deformity ◽

10.1007/s43390-021-00307-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Cole J. Homer ◽

Jonathan N. Sembrano

Keyword(s):

Transitional Vertebra ◽

Radiographic Parameters ◽

Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra

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The Level of Conus Medullaris in 629 Healthy Japanese Individuals

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10143182 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (14) ◽

pp. 3182

Author(s):

Hiroaki Nakashima ◽

Keigo Ito ◽

Yoshito Katayama ◽

Mikito Tsushima ◽

Kei Ando ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Regression Analysis ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Pelvic Tilt ◽

Pelvic Incidence ◽

Multivariate Regression Analysis ◽

Conus Medullaris ◽

Magnetic Resonance Images ◽

Factors Affecting ◽

Adult Volunteers ◽

Significant Factors

The conus medullaris typically terminates at the L1 level; however, variations in its level and the factors associated with the conus medullaris level are unclear. We investigated the level of conus medullaris on magnetic resonance imaging in healthy volunteers. In total, 629 healthy adult volunteers (≥50 individuals of each sex and in each decade of age from 20 to 70) were enrolled. The level of the conus medullaris was assessed based on the T2-weighted sagittal magnetic resonance images, and factors affecting its level were investigated employing multivariate regression analysis including the participants’ background and radiographical parameters. L1 was the most common conus medullaris level. Participant height was significantly shorter in the caudally placed conus medullaris (p = 0.013). With respect to the radiographical parameters, pelvic incidence (p = 0.003), and pelvic tilt (p = 0.03) were significantly smaller in participants with a caudally placed conus medullaris. Multiple regression analysis showed that the pelvic incidence (p < 0.0001) and height (p < 0.0001) were significant factors affecting the conus medullaris level. These results indicated that the length of the spinal cord varies little among individuals and that skeletal differences affect the level of the conus medullaris.

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The Pelvic Incidence Stratified Sagittal Spinopelvic Alignment in Asymptomatic Chinese Population With Different Age Groups

Global Spine Journal ◽

10.1177/2192568221989647 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 219256822198964

Author(s):

Siyu Zhou ◽

Zhuoran Sun ◽

Wei Li ◽

Da Zou ◽

Weishi Li

Keyword(s):

Chinese Population ◽

Pelvic Incidence ◽

Sagittal Alignment ◽

Age Groups ◽

Vertical Axis ◽

Elderly Subjects ◽

Sagittal Vertical Axis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sagittal Parameters ◽

Very High

Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Objective: To provide the age- and pelvic incidence-related variations of sagittal alignment in asymptomatic Chinese population. Methods: This study recruited asymptomatic adult subjects. All subjects undertook the standing whole spinal radiograph and the sagittal parameters were measured: sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 pelvic angle (TPA), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), pelvic incidence (PI) and pelvic tilt (PT). All subjects were divided into young, middle aged and elderly groups, then each age group was further divided into 5 subgroups (very low, low, average, high and very high) based on PI values. The relations between PI, age and other parameters were evaluated. The differences in sagittal parameters of each PI subgroup were compared. Results: 546 subjects were included with an average age of 38.6 years (18 to 81). The number of subjects over 70 years and with very low PI was relatively small. The average of PI, TPA, PT and LL were 45.9° ± 8.4°, 6.4° ± 6.2°, 11.9° ± 6.6° and 49.2° ± 10.1°, respectively. SVA, TPA, TK and PT increased with age ( P < 0.05), while SVA, TPA, PT, PI-LL also increased with PI ( P < 0.05). LL, PT, TPA, PI-LL and LL-TK were different among the 5 PI subgroups ( P < 0.05). However, the values of LL in elderly subjects with high and very high PI were similar. Conclusion: The age- and PI-related variations in sagittal alignment of Chinese population were provided. The sagittal parameters were significantly influenced by age and PI. The individual pelvic morphology should be carefully considered during the assessment and restoration of sagittal balance.

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Characteristics of the spinopelvic parameters of patients with sacroiliac joint pain

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84737-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Juichi Tonosu ◽

Hiroyuki Oka ◽

Kenichi Watanabe ◽

Hiroaki Abe ◽

Akiro Higashikawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sacroiliac Joint ◽

Joint Pain ◽

Pelvic Incidence ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

Sacral Slope ◽

Low Back ◽

Spinopelvic Parameters ◽

Sacroiliac Joint Pain ◽

Physical Findings ◽

Univariate Analyses

AbstractTo evaluate the characteristics of the spinopelvic parameters on radiography in patients with sacroiliac joint pain (SIJP). Two hundred fifty patients were included and divided into the SIJP group (those diagnosed with SIJP based on physical findings and response to analgesic periarticular injections; n = 53) and the non-SIJP group (those with low back pain [LBP] because of other reasons; n = 197). We compared their demographic characteristics and spinopelvic parameters using radiography. All differences found in the patients’ demographic characteristics and spinopelvic parameters were analyzed. More female participants experienced SIJP than male participants (P = 0.0179). Univariate analyses revealed significant differences in pelvic incidence (PI) (P = 0.0122), sacral slope (SS) (P = 0.0034), and lumbar lordosis (LL) (P = 0.0078) between the groups. The detection powers for PI, SS, and LL were 0.71, 0.84, and 0.66, respectively. Logistic regression analyses, after adjustment for age and sex, revealed significant differences in PI (P = 0.0308) and SS (P = 0.0153) between the groups, with odds ratios of 1.03 and 1.05, respectively. More female participants experienced SIJP than male participants. Higher PI and SS values were related to SIJP among LBP patients.

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Predictive Value of Pelvic Incidence in Progression of Spondylolisthesis

Spine ◽

10.1097/01.brs.0000085325.42542.38 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 28 (20) ◽

pp. 2381-2385 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Robert P. Huang ◽

Henry H. Bohlman ◽

George H. Thompson ◽

Connie Poe-Kochert

Keyword(s):

Predictive Value ◽

Pelvic Incidence

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Lumbosacral stress and age may contribute to increased pelvic incidence: an analysis of 1625 adults

European Spine Journal ◽

10.1007/s00586-017-5324-z ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (2) ◽

pp. 482-488 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Hongda Bao ◽

Barthelemy Liabaud ◽

Jeffrey Varghese ◽

Renaud Lafage ◽

Bassel G. Diebo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pelvic Incidence

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Sacral incidence to pubis: a novel and alternative morphologic radiological parameter to pelvic incidence in assessing spinopelvic sagittal alignment

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders ◽

10.1186/s12891-021-04093-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yasuhito Takahashi ◽

Kei Watanabe ◽

Masashi Okamoto ◽

Shun Hatsushikano ◽

Kazuhiro Hasegawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Pelvic Incidence ◽

Sagittal Alignment ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Hip Dislocation ◽

Standing Position ◽

Regression Equation ◽

Whole Body ◽

Spinopelvic Parameters ◽

Pelvic Inclination

Abstract Background Although pelvic incidence (PI) is a key morphologic parameter in assessing spinopelvic sagittal alignment, accurate measurements of PI become difficult in patients with severe hip dislocation or femoral head deformities. This study aimed to investigate the reliability of our novel morphologic parameters and the correlations with established sagittal spinopelvic parameters. Methods One hundred healthy volunteers (25 male and 75 female), with an average age of 38.9 years, were analysed. Whole-body alignment in the standing position was measured using a slot-scanning X-ray imager. We measured the established spinopelvic sagittal parameters and a novel parameter: the sacral incidence to pubis (SIP). The correlation coefficient of each parameter, regression equation of PI using SIP, and regression equation of lumbar lordosis (LL) using PI or SIP were obtained. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as an evaluation of the measurement reliability. Results Reliability analysis showed high intra- and inter-rater agreements in all the spinopelvic parameters, with ICCs > 0.9. The SIP and pelvic inclination angle (PIA) demonstrated strong correlation with PI (R = 0.96) and pelvic tilt (PT) (R = 0.92). PI could be predicted according to the regression equation: PI = − 9.92 + 0.905 * SIP (R = 0.9596, p < 0.0001). The ideal LL could be predicted using the following equation using PI and age: ideal LL = 32.33 + 0.623 * PI – 0.280 * age (R = 0.6033, p < 0.001) and using SIP and age: ideal LL = 24.29 + 0.609 * SIP – 0.309 * age (R = 0.6177, p < 0.001). Conclusions Both SIP and PIA were reliable parameters for determining the morphology and orientation of the pelvis, respectively. Ideal LL was accurately predicted using the SIP with equal accuracy as the PI. Our findings will assist clinicians in the assessment of spinopelvic sagittal alignment. Trial registration This study was retrospectively registered with the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000042979; January 13, 2021).

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The utility of supine radiographs in the assessment of thoracic flexibility and risk of proximal junctional kyphosis

Journal of Neurosurgery Spine ◽

10.3171/2020.11.spine201565 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Francis Lovecchio ◽

Renaud Lafage ◽

Jonathan Charles Elysee ◽

Alex Huang ◽

Bryan Ang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thoracic Spine ◽

Lumbar Lordosis ◽

Pelvic Tilt ◽

Pelvic Incidence ◽

Vertical Axis ◽

Control Analysis ◽

Proximal Junctional Kyphosis ◽

Sagittal Vertical Axis ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Junctional Kyphosis

OBJECTIVE Supine radiographs have successfully been used for preoperative planning of lumbar deformity corrections. However, they have not been used to assess thoracic flexibility, which has recently garnered attention as a potential contributor to proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK). The purpose of this study was to compare supine to standing radiographs to assess thoracic flexibility and to determine whether thoracic flexibility is associated with PJK. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted of a single-institution database of patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Sagittal alignment parameters were compared between standing and supine and between pre- and postoperative radiographs. Thoracic flexibility was determined as the change between preoperative standing thoracic kyphosis (TK) and preoperative supine TK, and these changes were measured over the overall thoracic spine and the fused portion of the thoracic spine (i.e., TK fused). A case-control analysis was performed to compare thoracic flexibility between patients with PJK and those without (no PJK). The cohort was also stratified into three groups based on thoracic flexibility: kyphotic change (increased TK), lordotic change (decreased TK), and no change. The PJK rate was compared between the cohorts. RESULTS A total of 101 patients (mean 63 years old, 82.2% female, mean BMI 27.4 kg/m2) were included. Preoperative Scoliosis Research Society–Schwab ASD classification showed moderate preoperative deformity (pelvic tilt 27.7% [score ++]; pelvic incidence–lumbar lordosis mismatch 44.6% [score ++]; sagittal vertical axis 42.6% [score ++]). Postoperatively, the average offset from age-adjusted alignment goals demonstrated slight overcorrection in the study sample (−8.5° ± 15.6° pelvic incidence–lumbar lordosis mismatch, −29.2 ± 53.1 mm sagittal vertical axis, −5.4 ± 10.8 pelvic tilt, and −7.6 ± 11.7 T1 pelvic angle). TK decreased between standing and supine radiographs and increased postoperatively (TK fused: −25.3° vs −19.6° vs −29.9°; all p < 0.001). The overall rate of radiographic PJK was 23.8%. Comparisons between PJK and no PJK demonstrated that offsets from age-adjusted alignment goals were similar (p > 0.05 for all). There was a significant difference in the PJK rate when stratified by thoracic flexibility cohorts (kyphotic: 0.0% vs no change: 18.4% vs lordotic: 35.0%; p = 0.049). Logistic regression revealed thoracic flexibility (p = 0.045) as the only independent correlate of PJK. CONCLUSIONS Half of patients with ASD experienced significant changes in TK during supine positioning, a quality that may influence surgical strategy. Increased thoracic flexibility is associated with PJK, possibly secondary to fusing the patient’s spine in a flattened position intraoperatively.

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