Lumbosacral transitional vertebra causing Bertolotti's syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Lumbosacral transitional vertebra is an anatomical variation of the fifth lumbar vertebra in which an enlarged transverse process can form a joint or fusion with the sacrum or ilium. The association of that variant with low back pain and the change in the biomechanical properties of the lumbar spine is called Bertolotti's syndrome.


METHODS
We report a case of a 40-year-old male patient with chronic low back pain extending to the left buttock, just above the ipsilateral sacroiliac joint. Radiographic investigation revealed an anomalous enlargement of the left transverse process of the fifth lumbar vertebra forming a pseudarthrosis with the infrajacent ala of the sacrum.


CONCLUSIONS
In young patients with back pain the possibility of Bertolotti's syndrome should always be taken in account.
Paraskevas
Georgios
G
Orthopaedic Department, Panagia Hospital Nik. Plastira 22, N. Krini, 55132, Kalamaria, Thessaloniki Greece. g_paraskevas@yahoo.gr
Tzaveas
Alexandros
A
Koutras
Georgios
G
Natsis
Konstantinos
K