title: Predictive value of interpeduncular distance measurement in children.
abstract: The value of measurement of the interpeduncular distance (IPD) in the investigation of a suspected pathologic intraspinal lesion was assessed in a series of 55 children referred for myelography from a university department of paediatrics. An IPD exceeding +2 SD was almost always associated with skeletal abnormality. Myelography disclosed pathologic lesions in two-thirds of 14 such patients. When no skeletal malformation was present, a large IPD (i.e. exceeding +2 SD) was found as expected. Myelography disclosed pathologic lesions in 2 of 6 such patients. Among 31 patients with normal IPD measurements 8 had pathologic lesions. Measurement of IPD may be of little value in the investigation of intraspinal changes in the lumbar region in children.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging