Author/Editor		Turk, Zmago; Čelan, Dušan
Title		Importance of intervertebral disc size in low back pain
Type		članek
Source		Croat Med J
Vol. and No.		Letnik 45, št. 6
Publication year		2004
Volume		str. 734-9
Language		eng
Abstract		Aim. To compare two anthropometrical methods for measuring the intervertebral disc size with computer tomography measurements and to develop a new anthropometric method for calculating intervertebral disc area. Methods. Intervertebral disc size was measured using computer tomography and two anthropometric methods (Colombini and modified Colombini) in a sample of 40 subjects. The new calculation for intervertebral disc size was developed and used in a sample of male bus drivers with (n=65) and without (n=30) anamnestic low back pain to asses clinical usefulness. Results. The modified anthropometric rnethod for intervertebral disc size assessment correctly predicted intervertebral disc: size in 89% ot the cases and the determination error was diminished to an average of 4.1% for level L4-L5 and 4.4% for level L5S1. The average size of the intervertebral discs in 65 subjects with anamnestic lower back problems was significantly smaller than in the control group ot 30 subjects having no such problems (p <0.001). Conclusion. The use of the presented formulas for the calculation of the intervertebral disc in L4-5 and L5-S1 areas from the data obtained by simple anthropometrical measurentents is sufficiently reliable and accurate. The rnethod is economical and harmless.
Descriptors		LOW BACK PAIN INTERVERTEBRAL DISK TOMOGRAPHY, X-RAY COMPUTED PHYSICAL EXAMINATION ANTHROPOMETRY BODY HEIGHT BODY WEIGHT