Evaluation of lumber lordotic angle in patients with inter vertebral disc prolapse using Cobb's method.

Abstract

This study was done to evaluate the lumbar lordotic angle in patients with inter vertebral disc prolapse by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using Cobb’s method. This study is conducted at Antalya Medical center and Elnilin Medical Center and extended from November 2012 up to March 2013. Total samples of 62 subjects were included in the study, with ages ranging between (15-80 years), 50 of the total sample were 25 males and 25 females underwent MR lumbar scan and diagnosed with inter vertebral disc prolapse, the remaining 12 were asymptomatic from both gender and have normal lumbar spine MRI and they are the control group. Measurement of lumbar lordotic angle (LLA) was done from the mid-sagittal slice of lumbar spine MRI using Cobb’s method; by drawing a perpendicular line to a line drawn across the superior endplate of (L1) and the superior endplate of (S1); the angle formed by the intersection of the two perpendicular lines is the Cobb angle or lumbar lordotic angle. These findings was then correlated with Gender, age, weight, height, different life style and job and also correlated with incident of inter vertebral disc prolapse to demonstrate if there is any degree of association. The researcher conclude that Cobb angle increased as the age and weight increased, and negatively related with height. females have higher degree of Cobb angle than males. Disc prolapse, different life style and work intensity has no effect on the degree of lumbar lordosis. MRI is a valuable tool to complement the history and physical examination in diagnosing spine abnormalities and disc prolapsed.