Radiological Findings of Relation Between Intercrestal Line and HIVD of Lumbar Spine

Intercrestal line 높이와 요추 추간판 탈출증의 상관관계에 대한 영상학적 연구

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to find out the relation between the height of intercrestal line, and HIVD(Herniated Intervertebral Disc)of Lumbar spine. Methods : We investigated 445 cases (208 male, 237 female) of patients who were diagnosed as HIVD of L-spine at either L4/5 or L5/S1 level. We analysed the relation between the height of intercrestal line and the level of HIVD. Results : 1. Among 445 cases, the level of intercrestal line with HIVD of L-spine at the specific location was different between male and female. In male, the intercrestal line is more likely to be located at L4 level, while in female more likely to be located at L5 level. 2. Among 445 cases, L5/S1 HIVD patients(272, 61.1%) were more than L4/5 HIVD patients(173, 38.9%). At L4 body area, L4/5 HIVD patients were more than L5/S1 HIVD patients, however, at L4/5 intervertebral area and L5 body area, L5/S1 HIVD patients were more than L4/5 HIVD patients. (p<0.01) 3. When the line is located at higher level, HIVD of L-spine tends to be occurred at L4/5 level. Contrastly, when the line is located at lower level, HIVD of L-spine tends to be occurred at L5/S1 level. (p<0.01) Conclusions : High intercrestal line leads to L4/5 HIVD, while low intercrestal line leads to L5/S1 HIVD. Possibly, it is caused by different length and thickness of the iliolumbar ligament.