Influence of Age and Sex in Determining the Level of Lumbar Spine through Simple Radiograph

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2006;8(1):40-45.
Published online May 10, 2006.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of age and sex in determining the level of lumbar spine for the needle electromyography of lumbar paraspinal muscles. Methods: Two hundred forty adult patients’ plain X-rays of lumbar spine and pelvic bone were evaluated. Subjects with scoliosis, kyphosis, severe degenerative change, compression fracture, lumbarization, sacralization, and history of back surgery were excluded. They were divided into 6 groups according to age (20-39 years, 40-59 years, and 60 years) and sex. The level of Tuffier’s line (Lv_T) of each subject relative to the lumbosacral vertebral body (VB) and spinous process (SP) was determined by plain X-rays of anteroposterior and lateral projections, respectively. The Lv_T relative to VB was divided into 5 types: L4U (upper L4 VB), L4L (lower L4 VB), L4-5, L5U, and L5L and the Lv_T relative to SP was divided into 3 types: L4SP, L4-5SP, and L5SP. Results: The most common Lv_T relative to VB and SP were at L4-5 intervertebral space (43.8%, 47.1%, respectively) but were significantly influenced by age and sex(p<0.01). Conclusion: The Lv_T should be determined individually considering patient’s age and sex.

Key Words: Tuffier’s line, Paraspinal muscle, Radiculopathy, Age, Sex