Ligamentum flavum thickness in normal and stenotic lumbar spines.
METHODS
A descriptive computed tomography (CT) study of the ligamentum flavum (LF) thickness in individuals with normal and stenotic lumbar spines.


OBJECTIVE
To establish standards for normal and pathologic range of LF thickness and its asymmetry as indicated in CT images and to examine its association with vertebral body size, age, and gender.


BACKGROUND
LF lines a considerable part of the posterior and lateral walls of the spinal canal and is a major role contributor to spinal canal stenosis. Due to methodologic deficiencies (e.g., small sample size, lack of control for vertebral body size, gender, and age), the normal range of LF thickness is still controversial. Furthermore, data on important aspect of LF thickness such as left-right differences are missing.


METHODS
Two groups of individuals were studied. The first group included 65 individuals with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) (mean age: 66 +/- 9.7 years) and the second, 150 individuals (mean age: 52 +/- 19 years) without LSS-related symptoms. LF thickness was measured on CT images (Philips Brilliance 64), obtained from axial plane scan at the intervertebral disc level. Measurements were performed at the levels of L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1. Analysis of variance and t test were carried out to evaluate the association between LF thickness and demographic factors.


RESULTS
Absolute and relative LF thickness were significantly greater in the LSS group at the levels of L3-L4 and L4-L5 on both sides, compared to control group (P < 0.05). LF thickness was independent of gender (absolute and relative thickness). Even though LF thickness at all levels significantly increases with age, significant changes after the age of 60 occurred only at L3-L4. Significant asymmetry in LF thickness was found at L3-L4 (2.9 +/- 0.90 mm on the right vs. 2.76 +/- 0.90 mm on the left) and L5-S1 (3.42 +/- 1.1 mm on the right vs. 3.22 +/- 1.22 mm on the left) (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
LF thickness is an age-dependent and gender-independent phenomenon. LF is significantly thicker on the right side. The borderline between normal and pathologic LF thickness should not be set at 4 mm.
Abbas
Janan
J
Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Tel Aviv, Israel. jananabb@yahoo.com
Hamoud
Kamal
K
Masharawi
Youssef M
YM
May
Hila
H
Hay
Ori
O
Medlej
Bahaa
B
Peled
Natan
N
Hershkovitz
Israel
I
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017843:Ligamentum Flavum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed