外科ジャーナル

The Study of Facet Tropism in Lumbar Vertebral Column

Abstract

Lotfinia I and Imani MT

Objective: Facet tropism is defined as asymmetry in both the facet joint angles of the lumbar and lumbosacral regions. In the present study, the authors attempt to determine lumbar facet angles and incidence of facet tropism in adults. Materials and Methods: 54 patients (30-50 years) admitted to the hospital due to spinal trauma with normal imaging and examination were included and evaluated in the lumbar levels of L2-L3, L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 using CT scan.

Results: The mean degree of right and left L2-L3 facet angle was 29.51° (sd 3.03°) and 31.22° (sd 4.44°), respectively and the mean degree of right and left L3-L4 was 33.57° (sd 6.29°) and 34.71° (sd 7.68°), respectively. The mean measurement of right and left L4-L5 facet angle was 37.02° (sd 7.37°) and 39.48° (sd 7.78°), respectively. Finally, the mean degree of right and left L5-S1 facet angle was 44.51° (sd 6.98°) and 46.34 ° (sd 8.10°), respectively.

Conclusion: Low-degree facet tropism is common in lumbar region and the most involved levels are L4-L5 and L5-S1.