ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between intervertebral disc space heights and disc pathologies at L4–L5 and L5–S1 levels via lateral lumbar spine radiographies.

The 73 patients included in this study were all examined by lateral lumbar spine radiography and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two specialists re-assessed the MR images and classified the intervertebral discs as normal, bulging, protrusion or extrusion. The researchers also measured the anterior, middle and posterior intervertebral disc space heights at the L4–L5 and L5–S1 levels. The anterior, middle and posterior intervertebral disc heights were statistically compared between normal and herniated discs.

Degenerated discs had significantly lower anterior and posterior intervertebral disc measurements than non-degenerated discs at the L4–L5 level. Herniated discs had significantly lower anterior, middle and posterior height measurements than nonherniated discs at the L4–L5 level. None of these measurements were significantly different for degeneration or herniation when compared with normal discs at the L5–S1 level.

Disc space heights were significantly lower for herniated discs and anterior and posterior disc space heights were significantly lower for degenerated discs at the L4–L5 level. There was no relationship between disc pathologies and intervertebral disc heights at the L5–S1 level.