The computed tomography characteristics of lumbar facet joints in spondylosis patients

Abstract

Objective: To demonstrate the computed tomography (CT) features of lumbar facet joints in spondylosis patients. Subject and method: It was a cross-sectional and descriptive study including 42 spondylosis patients (416 lumbar facet joints) who took consultation in 108 Military Central Hospital, from December 2021 to July 2022. The subjects were recruited as the correspondence between Gomez Vega 2019 clinical criteria and CT scan. The examined index included: Joint shapes which were C-shaped, straight shape, J-shaped; joint angles regarding sagittal line; joint tropisms. Osteoarthritis characteristics of lumbar facet joints based on Pathria classification with 4 grades. Data were analyzed by SPSS, comparisons of two means were performed by T-test. Statistical significance was defined by p<0.05. Result: Average age of patients was 63.79 ± 2.24 years old, female/male ratio was 4.25. 2/42 (4.76%) patients had sacralization of L₅. The proportions of joint shapes (C, straight and J) were 86.76%, 13.24%, 0% respectively. The angle of joints increased in respect of descending levels, from 31.14 ± 8.78^o (L₁₂) to 45.61 ± 11.20^o (L₅S₁). The average of articular tropisms in each level were ranged from 5.47 ± 4.09^o to 7.58 ± 7.22^o. The percentages of Pathria classification (grade 0, 1, 2, 3) were 2.40%, 59.62%, 11.06%, 26.92%, respectively. Pathria 3 dominantly distributed at L₄₅ level (Left 47.62% and right 42.86%). Subchondral sclerosis and hypertrophy contributed to the highest rate of degenerative characteristics (99.03% and 92.51% respectively). Conclusion: C-shaped joint was the most popular. Large tropism might be a consequence of prolonged osteoarthritis. Subchondral sclerosis and hypertrophy presented at almost facet joints. Pathria grade 3 was the most popular at L₄₅ level which had higher percentage of severe osteoarthritis features.