ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence of lumbar vertebral abnormalities in asymptomatic young population.

This study included 1,442 male subjects who underwent a physical examination as part of their application to military school between 2005 and 2011. The mean age was 16.16 (13–20) years. Spinal anomalies were evaluated with antero-posterior X-ray images, from the 11–12th dorsal vertebrae down to the lumbar and sacral vertebrae, the pelvis and bilateral proximal femur. Images were evaluated to detect any lumbar spinal anomalies.

Radiological abnormalities were detected in 238 cases, including posterior fusion defects in 150 cases (10.4%), transitional vertebrae in 75 cases (5.2%), scoliosis in 11 cases (0.76%), and block vertebrae in two cases (0.16%). The most common lumbar spinal anomaly was S1 spina bifida (n=105, 7.5%).

Since this study was designed as a cross- sectional study, our results don’t reflect the incidence in the whole population. However, this study provides valuable information about the prevalence of radiological abnormalities in an asymptomatic young population, which may help to form a database for future studies.