Abstract
Background
Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) are a set of anatomical variations, whereby
the last lumbar vertebra articulates or is fused to the sacral ala, which can be seen
either unilateral or bilateral. This allows for change in vertebral morphology where the
last lumbar vertebra displays characteristics of either a lumbar or sacral vertebra.
Aim of the study
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of LSTV and assess the
morphological characteristics within the South African Population housed at the
Pretoria Bone Collection (PBC). The study reports on the demographic factors (sex,
population affinity and age) which is associated with LSTV.
Study procedure
The research was an exploratory and prospective osteological study. Permission was
obtained to start the study from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) REC and Higher
Degrees Committee (HDC) and permission was granted for utilisation of the Pretoria
Bone Collection (PBC) housed at the University of Pretoria (UP). A Microsoft® Excel®
spreadsheet was provided by the curator at PBC. Nine hundred and fourteen skeletal
remains were appraised. A total of 114 (12,5%) skeletons were identified using the
Castellvi et al (1984) classification system to contain LSTV at the PBC.
Results
The male sex (71,1%) contained a greater prevalence than female sex (28,9%).
Population affinities were divided into Black, Mixed and White as they are the largest
population groups within South Africa (80,7%; 11,4% and 7,9% respectively).
Prevalence for population affinity within this study revealed Black (66,7%), Mixed
(0,9%) and White (32,5%). The morphological Type II (52,6%) had the highest
prevalence, followed by Type II (44,7%) and Type IV had the lowest prevalence
(2,7%). Type IV was classified according to side of fusion. The most frequent subtype
was Type IIIB (37,7%), followed by Type IIA (30,7%), Type IIIA (14,9%) and Type IIB
(14,0%). The frequency of side revealed bilateral (51,8%) being the most prevalent,
with left (28,9%) being more prevalent than right (19,3%).
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Conclusion
Statistical significance was noted in Type IIB (p=0,004) and Type IIIA right (p=0,003)
LSTV and population affinity. Type IIB was revealed 18,4% prevalence in the Black
population, 2,7% in the White population and 100% in the Mixed population. Type IIIA
Right revealed 1,3% prevalence in the black population, 18,9% in the white population
and 0% in the Mixed population affinity. The results showed a relationship between
LSTV Type IIB and Type IIIA Right and population affinity.