Yonsei Med J.  2013 Nov;54(6):1498-1504. 10.3349/ymj.2013.54.6.1498.

Changes in Spinal Canal Diameter and Vertebral Body Height with Age

• Kim KH
• Park JY
• Kuh SU
• Chin DK
• Kim KS
• Cho YE

• KMID: 1798149
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2013.54.6.1498

Abstract

PURPOSE
All structures of the spine, including the spinal canal, change continuously with age. The purpose of this study was to determine how the spinal canal of the lumbar spine changes with age. The L4/5 is the most common site of spinal stenosis and has the largest flexion-extension motion, whereas the T5/6 has the least motion. Therefore, we measured the spinal canal diameter and vertebral body height at T5, T6, L4, and L5 with age.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a retrospective study of aged 40 to 77 years. We reviewed whole spine sagittal MRIs of 370 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) (Group 2) and 166 herniated cervical disc (HCD) (Group 1). Each group was divided into four age groups, and demographic parameters (age, gender, height, weight, BMI), the mid-spinal canal diameter, and mid-vertebrae height at T5, T6, L4, L5 were compared. Within- and between-group comparisons were made to evaluate changes by age and correlations were carried out to evaluate the relationships between all parameters.
RESULTS
Height, weight, and all radiologic parameters were significantly lower in Group 2 than Group 1. Group 1 did not show any differences, when based on age, but in Group 2, height, weight, and T6, L4, and L5 height were significantly decreased in patients in their 70's than patients in their 40's, except for spinal canal diameter. Age was associated with all parameters except spinal canal diameter.
CONCLUSION
Vertebral height decreased with age, but spinal canal diameter did not change in patients with either LSS or HCD. Mid-spinal canal diameter was not affected by aging.

Keyword

Lumbar spinal stenosis; herniated cervical disc; spinal canal diameter

MeSH Terms

Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Cervical Vertebrae/anatomy & histology
Female
Humans
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/pathology
Lumbar Vertebrae/*anatomy & histology
Male
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
Spinal Canal/*anatomy & histology
Spinal Stenosis/pathology

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Radiologic parameters of whole spine sagittal MRI. From the whole spine sagittal MRI, we selected the largest spinal canal image at the lumbar spine (A). The anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal at the mid-portion of the vertebral body (white line) and mid-vertebra body height (white arrow) at L4 and L5 was measured (B). From the whole spine sagittal MRI, we selected the largest spinal canal image at the thoracic spine (C). The anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal at the mid-portion of the vertebral body (white line) and mid-vertebra body height (white arrow) at T5 and T6 was measured (D).

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  Fig. 2 Demographic characteristics in Group 1 (herniated cervical disc).

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  Fig. 3 Demographic characteristics in Group 2 (lumbar spinal stenosis). Comparisons between 40-49 year olds and over 70 year olds by Student's t-test, *p<0.01 and †p<0.05.

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  Fig. 4 Spinal canal diameters and vertebral body heights in Group 1 (herniated cervical disc).

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  Fig. 5 Spinal canal diameters and vertebral body heights in Group 2 (lumbar spinal stenosis). Comparisons between 40-49 year olds and over 70 year olds by Student's t-test, *p<0.01.

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  Fig. 6 Correlations between all parameters. Age was significantly correlated with all demographic characteristics and vertebral body heights, but did not correlate with spinal canal diameter.

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