EC Orthopaedics

Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of the ultrasonography results of 180 lumbar intervertebral discs in 36 children aged 13 - 18 years was carried out. In 43 discs, degenerative changes in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus were detected, while the integrity of the annulus fibrosus was preserved. The examination was performed in sagittal and axial views. In the sagittal projection, the height of the vertebral bodies and intervertebral discs was measured, and in the axial projection, the anteroposterior dimensions of the central and lateral spinal canals were measured.

Results: In 4 (9.3 ± 4.4%) cases, the protrusion was located at the L2-L3 level, in 7 (16.3 ± 5.6%) cases - at the L3-L4 level, in 15 (34.9 ± 7.3%) cases - at the L4-L5 level, and in 17 (39.5 ± 7.5%) cases - at the L5-S1 level, respectively. There were no significant differences in the frequency of occurrence between L2-L3 and L3-L4, as well as L4-L5 and L5-S1. The lower located lumbar discs (74,4%) were significantly more affected than the upper (25,6%) ones (P < 0.001).

Median protrusion localization was recorded in 19 (44.2 ± 7.6%) cases, paramedian - in 18 (41.9 ± 7.5%) cases, and posterolateral - in 6 (13.9 ± 5.3%) cases, respectively. The median and paramedian protrusions was significantly more frequently recorded than the posterolateral (P < 0,01) types.

Conclusion:

1. Among high school-aged children, lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion of lower (L5-S1 and L4-L5) locations is significantly (P < 0.001) more common than of the upper (L2-L3 and L3-L4) locations.
2. Median and paramedian protrusion locations are significantly (P < 0.01) more common than posterolateral protrusion.

 Keywords: Lumbar Disc Degeneration in High School Aged Children; Ultrasonography; Protrusion of Lumbar Discs; Fibrous Ring; Nucleus Pulposus

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