title: Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae: incidence in a consecutive patient series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Great variability exists in the reported frequency of transitional vertebra in the general population as well as in symptomatic lumbar spine patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the occurrence rate of transitional vertebra in consecutive lumbar spine patients in our practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, observational study
  
  
  METHODS
  Plain films were viewed and the presence or absence of a lumbar transitional vertebra was documented. Transitional vertebrae were classified as incomplete or complete.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 300 consecutive patients, 30% had a transitional vertebra.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our percentage of patients with a transitional vertebra was higher than the percentages reported for the general population. This supports our belief that the alteration in mechanics caused by a transitional vertebra may at times contribute to pain generation. Additionally, as a transitional segment may not always be visualized on MRI, obtaining plain films prior to an injection or surgery will help prevent confusion over the appropriate level for the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Christiana Spine Center, Newark, Delaware, USA.
authors.forename: Elva G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Delport
authors.forename: Tony R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Cucuzzella
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Marley
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pruitt
authors.forename: Anton G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Delport
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology*; D008161:Lumbosacral Region / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012447:Sacrum / Q000473:pathology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology