Radiologic analysis and bone mineral density measurement of patients with lumbar degenerative scoliosis / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the radiographic characteristics of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) and its relationship to osteoporosis. Methods 229 cases (83 males, 146 females) of DLS from January 1998 to June 2005 were reviewed. The mean age was 56.8 years (ranged from 40 to 74 years). The Cobb angle and vertebral stability in coronal plane were measured in anteroposterior radiographs and the changes of lordosis in sagittal plane were observed in lateral radiographs. The bone mineral density(BMD) and T-Score of lumbar spine (L2-L4) were measured using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry. Results The mean Cobb angle is 9.45??4.79?, 151 cases(66%) with the angle less than 10?, 60 cases (26%) with 10?-20?, and 18 cases (8%) with more than 20?. Right side scoliosis were found in 52% (120 cases), left side in 48% (109 cases). 159 cases (69%) companied with gradeⅠ(Nash-Moe) vertebra rotation, 54 cases (24%) with grade Ⅱ. And the vertebra rotation was most evident on scoliosis apex. There were 20 cases (9%) with more than 4 mm lateral translation between the lumbar vertebrae which were usually the apex vertebrae with the most degenerative changes. The physical lordosis decreased in most cases in which 16 cases (7%) developed lumbar or thoracolumbar kyphosis. And the kyphosis degree was not relevant to scoliosis Cobb angle. The mean T-Score of BMD measurement was -1.88?0.17, which was -1.49?0.14, -2.56?0.24, -2.89?0.50 for the groups of with Cobb angle 20? respectively. There were 153 cases (67%) with T10?), and 98 cases (43%) with T