Normal interpediculate distances and mid-sagittal diameters of the lumbar spinal canal in adult Kenyan Africans

Abstract

Interpediculate distances of lumbar spinal canal were measured on normal, plain, antero-posterior radiographs of lumbar spine in 185 male and 185 female adult Kenyan Africans. Mid-sagittal diameters (Antero-Posterior diameters) of lumbar spinal canal were measured on normal, plain lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine in 180 male and 180 female adult Kenyan Africans. Mean, standard deviation and 90% tolerance range of interpediculate and mid-sagittal diameters were calculated at each lumbar vertebral body leve, in both sexes separately. The results were compared with those of other authors. A normal range of 17mm to 25mm for mid-sagittal diameter is established in both sexes. A graphic representation of 90% tolerance range of interpediculate distances is given separately for both sexes. Finally a recommendation is made to use these ranges in the assessement of lumbar spinal canal pathology, especially in cases of suspected spinal canal stenosis.