Degenerative Disk Disease at Lumbosacral Junction:
Plain Film Findings and Related MRI Abnormalities
SUPHANEEWAN JAOVISIDHA, M.D.*,
PATARAWAN APIYASAWAT, M.D.**,
MASON PORAMATHIKUL, M.D.**,
SUPREEYA TECHATIPAKORN, M.D.*,
WI CHIEN LAOHACHAROENSOMBA T, M.D.**,
PIMJAI SIRIWONGPAIRAT, M.D.*
Affiliation : ** Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University. Bangkok 10400.
Thailand.
AbstractDue to a wide range of normal disk space heights at lumbosacral (LS) junction. we
conducted this study to evaluate how to diagnose degenerative disk disease (DDD) of LS junction
and how much information we can obtain from plain radiography regarding this condition. We
retrospectively reviewed lateral LS spine films and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in I 00
patients presented with low back pain. Anterior disk height (ADH) and posterior disk height (PDH)
were directly measured from plain radiographs. Signs of DDD were recorded from both plain
radiographs and MR imaging. We found that ADH < 11.3 mm or PDH < 5.5 mm indicate DDD at
LS junction with 95 per cent confidence interval. When spondylolisthesis presented, disks
were all degenerated. End plate sclerosis had significant relative risk (p < 0.05) for lateral neural
canal stenosis and disk herniation. No radiographic finding showed significant relative risk for
nerve root compression.
Keywords : Spine, Intervertebral Disk, Spine, MR
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