A Whole-Spine Magnetic Resonance Imaging- Based Cross-Sectional Study of the Clinicoradiological Association of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra with Degenerative Disc Disease, End Plate Degeneration, Low Back Pain, and Facet Tropism

OBJECTIVE: To understand lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) - associated degenerative pathologies and their correlation to low back pain and radicular pain. - METHODS: Whole -spine magnetic resonance imaging was evaluated for disc degeneration using Pfirrmann grading, end plate changes using total end plate score (TEPS), and facet tropism in patients with low back pain and radicular pain, and their association with LSTV was analyzed. - RESULTS: In group 1, LSTV was seen in 15% of patients with 83% of these patients having sacralization. Disc degeneration was seen in 58%, 51%, and 63% of patients at levels C, B, and A, respectively; patients with sacralization had significant degeneration at all 3 levels. Similarly, the total end plate score and facet tropism were significantly higher in patients with sacralization. Facet tropism was observed in 31%, 40%, and 35% of patients with no -LSTV, patients with sacralization, and patients with lumbarization, respectively. In group 2, LSTV was seen in 17% of patients with sacralization accounting for 82%. Disc degeneration was seen in 44%, 36%, and 54% patients at levels C, B, and A, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the mean total end plate score between groups. Facet tropism was identified in 89% and 81% of patients with sacralization and patients with lumbarization, respectively, compared with only 19% of patients with no LSTV. - CONCLUSIONS: Patients with low back pain had a higher incidence of sacralization with corresponding disc degeneration, facet tropism ,and end plate changes. In patients with radicular pain, lumbarization was associated only with facet tropism. These findings may aid clinicians in prognostication and patient counseling.