Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae: significance of local bone marrow edema at the transverse processes.

Abstract

To evaluate the association between low back pain and bone marrow edema in lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) transverse processes, and to assess the prevalence of LSTV in a physically active population. Individuals with LSTV on coronal MRI studies were identified in a retrospective review by keyword search from PACS. In total, 140 cases were reviewed by two fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologists. Data on associated low back pain were collected from patient records at the time of the imaging. Bone marrow edema was observed in 44% of the cases, but no correlation with low back pain was found. On coronal MRI, the prevalence of LSTV was 2.6%, with type II LSTV being the most common subtype. No correlation with bone marrow edema at the transverse processes of the LSTV and low back pain was observed. In our selected study population, the prevalence of LSTV was low.