ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the area and the shape of the vertebral body endplate in the magnetic resonance image (MRI) findings were risk factors for the development of symptomatic herniated lumbar intervertebral disc. METHOD: Sixty patients of low back pain with the age below 60 were enrolled. They didn't have spondylolisthesis or the history of spine surgery. MRI films of these patients were reviewed. Anteroposterior and transverse diameter of endplates, height of vertebral body and intervertebral discs were measured. The relation of these data and intervertebral disc herniation, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI) were statistically studied. RESULTS: Patients' weight, BMI, the vertebral body area and the shape of the endplate were related to disc herniations. Furthermore, the larger and circular vertebral body was observed in the patients with disc herniation. In the patients with lower back pain, men were diagnosed disc herniations of the MRI finding more than women. CONCLUSION: In anatomical aspect, the area and the shape of the vertebral body at the endplate level were important factors contributing to the development of disc herniations at L4-L5 and L5-S1.