MEASUREMENT OF ANTERIOR VERTEBRAL COMPRESSIONS AND BICONCAVE VERTEBRAE

¹ Senior Research Associate, Lahey Clinic Foundation

Measurements have been made on lateral roentgenograms of the dorsal and lumbar spine in a group of women. When these normal-appearing roentgenograms were analyzed using criteria described here, more anterior compressions were found in the older women than in the younger women of the group. Total intervertebral space height from L5-4 to D7-6 showed a slight increase in the older group. Other measurements showed no important differences.

Estimation of the extent of concavities of the vertebrae is discussed, and it is pointed out that apparent codfish vertebrae are often an optical illusion caused by rim lines and not by actual depressions of the horizontal cortices of the centrum.

The methods of measurement are demonstrated in a patient with a severely osteoporotic spine, and the usefulness of the methods in following the course of osteoporosis or other metabolic bone diseases is suggested.

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