Dimensions of the lumbar intervertebral foramina as determined from the sagittal plane magnetic resonance imaging scans of 95 normal subjects

Cramer, Gregory D; Cantu, Joe A; Dorsett, Richard D; Greenstein, Jay S; McGregor, Marion; Howe, Joseph E; Glenn, William V

doi:10.1016/S0161-4754(02)54109-9

« Previous Next »Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 26, Issue 3 , Pages 160-170, March 2003

Dimensions of the lumbar intervertebral foramina as determined from the sagittal plane magnetic resonance imaging scans of 95 normal subjects☆

Gregory D Cramer, DC, PhD
- Submit requests for reprints to: Gregory D. Cramer, DC, PhD, National University of Health Sciences, 200 E Roosevelt Road, Lombard, IL 60148, USA
- Professor and Dean, Department of Research, National University of Health Sciences, Lombard, Ill, USA
Joe A Cantu, DC
- Private practice of chiropractic radiology, Charlottesville, Va, USA
Richard D Dorsett, DC
- Private practice of chiropractic, Roanoke, Va, USA
Jay S Greenstein, DC
- Private practice of chiropractic, Rockville, Md, USA
Marion McGregor, DC
- Private practice of chiropractic, Plano, Tex, USA
Joseph E Howe, DC
- Professor Emeritus, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Southern California University of Health Sciences, Whittier, Calif, USA
William V Glenn, MD
- Private practice of medical radiology, Manhattan Beach, Calif, USA

Received 5 February 2002; received in revised form 6 March 2002

Abstract

Objectives

This was a 2-part study. Part 1 evaluated the reliability of measurements of the intervertebral foramina (IVF) from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and part 2 developed a morphometric database of IVF dimensions from normal living subjects.

Design

Part 1 was a blinded reliability study using 7 observers, and part 2 developed a morphometric database using 2 teams of 3 observers, all blinded to the results of each other.

Subjects

Ninety-five normal subjects (46 women, 49 men) were stratified by age (range 14-84 years, average 38.8 years).

Outcome measures

Part 1: Interclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for intraobserver and interobserver reliability for 3 dimensions of the lumbar IVFs. Part 2: A database was developed using the same measures. In addition, the relationships between IVF dimensions and age, height, weight, sex, and left versus right sides of subjects were evaluated.

Results

Part 1: All ICCs were very high (> 0.94). Part 2: 8550 measurements were made, and a morphometric database of 95 subjects, stratified by age and sex, was completed. Differences in IVF size associated with age, height, weight, sex, and side were described.

Conclusions

Measurements taken from MRI scans of IVFs were performed reliably. The morphometric database and IVF relationships should aid clinicians and researchers in evaluating patients with suspected foraminal stenosis and help further investigate IVF pathology and treatment of such pathology.

Keywords: Intervertebral Foramina, Spinal Anatomy, Spinal Morphometry