Neurosurgical MRI Insights: Morphology and Dimensions of Lumbar Vertebral Canal in Midsagittal and Axial Sections

Background: Knowing the dimensions of lumbar spinal canal is crucial to diagnose lumbar stenosis with the Magnetic resonance imaging is the most accepted and accurate modality for diagnosis. This study aimed to estimate the lumbar canal diameters in anteroposterior and cross-sectional areas by MR studies performed for middle aged population.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study with Magnetic resonance images for the lumbosacral spine collected from young (18-26 years), Antero-posterior and transverse diameters for the Dural sac, the ligamentous interfacet diameter, and the cross-sectional area for the Dural sac were measured for all lumbar vertebrae. Chi-square and t-test were used to calculate various variables.
Results: 54 patients enrolled in the study, mean age was 22.6 years old, with a 1:1 male-to-female ratio. No significant P-Values were found between both genders at the 0.05 level of significancy, all
Conclusion: The lumbar cross-sectional area dural sac, ligamentous interfacet distant, AP sagittal spinal canal, transverse axial, AP axial dural sac, and AP axial spinal canal showed a non-significant difference in young age group females than males’ measurements in a sample of patients attending MRI units.