Abstract:
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Low backache is a major public health problem which affects up to 85% of
people at least once in their lifetime. Its causes are multi-factorial, but lumbar spinal canal stenosis
(LCS) takes the lion's share. LCS is the most frequent indication for spinal surgery in people over
60 years old. In order to early diagnose lumbar spinal canal stenosis or widening, normal range of
lumbar spinal canal diameters are crucial, especially for radiologist and clinicians. But
considerable variation on size of normal lumbar spinal canal exists within and between
populations. Therefore, this study will provide baseline data on the determination of lumbar spinal
canal dimensions of adults in Northwest Ethiopian population.
Objective: to measure Normal Lumbar Spinal Canal Diameters of adults using Computed
Tomography (CT) and to determine the correlation factor in University of Gondar Comprehensive
Specialized Hospital (UOGCSH), Northwest Ethiopia, 2019.
Method: cross-sectional study design was conducted in 168 adults who came for abdominopelvic
CT scans, in UOGCSH. CT scan measurements of Anteroposterior diameter of lumbar spinal
Canal (APDC), Transverse diameter of lumbar spinal canal (TDC) and Transverse diameter of
lumbar body (TDB) were performed. From the above measurements an index was derived, Canal
to body ratio (CBR). The relationship between dependent and independent variables were assessed
using Pearson`s correlation, Independent T-test, and One-way ANOVA through SPSS version 20.
Results: The mean APDC at L1 to L5 were 15.3mm, 14.4mm, 13.2mm, 13.1mm, and 14.5mm,
respectively. The mean TDC at L1 to L5 were 20.5mm, 21.3mm, 22.6mm, 25.5mm, and 30.6mm,
respectively. The overall average of CBR was 0.58. The lowest cutoff APDC and TDC were
obtained at L4 and L1 which were 9.6mm and 16.3mm, respectively. APDC of females was
significantly greater than males at L2 and L3 level (p<0.05). Whereas, in TDC there was no
significant mean difference between Sexes. Except at L2, there was significant APDC mean
difference among age group. Whereas, in TDCs no mean difference among age groups at all levels
of the canals. APDC had no significant correlation with age. Whereas, the TDC at L1 had a positive
correlation with age (p<0.05). APDC and CBR at L3 to L5 had inverse correlation with height and
weight of study subjects (p<0.05). APDC at L1 and L2 also had inverse correlation with height.
TDC has a significant positive correlation with weight only at L5 (r=0.186).
Conclusion: The APDC from Northwest Ethiopian population is narrowest particularly at L3 and
L4 levels. Lumbar canal diameters have an association with age, height, weight, and BMI of the
study subjects. Recommendation: further research should be conducted on healthy subjects from
all parts of Ethiopia to be certain and generalize for Ethiopian population.
Keywords: Anteroposterior diameter, Lumbar canal, Transverse diameter, Northwest Ethiop
