Morphometric study of pedicles of dried human lumbar vertebrae

Abstract

Background: The growing interest in transpedicular screw fixation in the present time has warranted improved knowledge in morphometric details of the pedicles. Performing pedicular screw fixation is technically challenging. The key to successful surgery is an explicit knowledge of intracanal anatomy and the location of the pedicle. Detailed knowledge of pedicle size and dimensions is crucial while using the pedicle to gain hold and strength of the vertebra. The sizes of the screws used in surgery must take pedicle dimensions into consideration. Methods: The study was performed on 75 dry human lumbar vertebrae of 15 sets of vertebral columns and measured the height, width, and interpedicular distance of pedicles of lumbar vertebrae using a digital verniercaliper. Results: Out of 75 vertebrae, 50 male and 25 female lumbar vertebrae, and 60 were typical, and 15 atypical. The mean pedicle height of the typical vertebrae is 13.35±1.26 mm,and it was higher in comparison to atypical vertebrae. The mean pedicle width of the atypical vertebrae is 16.47±2.48 mm, and it was higher in comparison to the typical vertebrae.  The mean interpedicular distance of atypical vertebrae is 24.31±2.29 mm, and it was higher in comparison to the typical vertebrae.  The mean pedicle height, width, and interpedicular distance in male are 13.28±1.78 mm, 9.93±3.96 mm, and 21.11±2.67mm, respectively, and it was observed higher in male compared to female lumbar vertebrae. Conclusion: There is always an increase in the width of lumbar pedicles proceeding from L1 to L5 levels and the width maximum at L5 level to enable in weight transmission. Further, in this study, there was a significant correlation between the height of typical and atypical vertebrae (p<0.05)and also between the height and interpedicular distance of male and female vertebrae (p<0.05).