IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-6-10-12244 Original Research Paper Morphometric Analysis of the lumbar pedicles in Indian population: deciphering the safe zone Rohit Pai Dr. Dr.Ashwini P.Sankhe Dr. October 2017 6 10 01 02 ABSTRACT

 Aims: Lumbar pedicle screw fixation is a commonly used technique for various spine pathologies. Screw size and path determination requires accurate morphometric analysis of lumbar pedicles. Since, gender and racial variations in vertebral morphometry is known, we performed this study to evaluate pedicle width and height in Indian population. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed pedicle width (PW) and pedicle height (PH) of normal lumbar vertebral pedicles in the CT scans of 100 subjects. The results were analysed at different vertebral levels and in both genders. Results: We found that the mean pedicle width of lumbar pedicles increased from L1 to L5 vertebral levels, maximum mean PW being 15.04 + 0.71 mm (13–16.4 mm) in males and 14.52 + 0.97 mm (12–16 mm) in females at L5. The mean height of lumbar pedicles was maximum at L2 [15.42 + 0.70 mm (14–16.8 mm)] and L1 levels [15.39 + 1.04 mm (13.2–17mm)] in males and females respectively, with decrease in the pedicle height from L3 to L5 vertebral levels. Conclusion: Morphometric analysis of lumbar pedicles assumes importance prior to all interventions in lumbar spine since there is significant racial and gender variation in its anatomical parameters