Morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus using lumbosacral spine CT scans: clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia

BACKGROUND: To conduct a morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus (SH) using lumbosacral spine CT scans and to evaluate its clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia (CEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 77 lumbosacral spine CT scans from a diver...

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Main Authors: Apurba Patra, Harmeet Kaur, Priti Chaudhary, Adil Asghar, Navneh Samagh, Jerzy A. Walocha, Bartosz Rutowicz, Karolina Brzegowy-Solewska, Dariusz Lusina, Janusz Skrzat
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Via Medica 2025-01-01
Series:Folia Morphologica
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Online Access:https://journals.viamedica.pl/folia_morphologica/article/view/101363
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author Apurba Patra
Harmeet Kaur
Priti Chaudhary
Adil Asghar
Navneh Samagh
Jerzy A. Walocha
Bartosz Rutowicz
Karolina Brzegowy-Solewska
Dariusz Lusina
Janusz Skrzat
author_facet Apurba Patra
Harmeet Kaur
Priti Chaudhary
Adil Asghar
Navneh Samagh
Jerzy A. Walocha
Bartosz Rutowicz
Karolina Brzegowy-Solewska
Dariusz Lusina
Janusz Skrzat
author_sort Apurba Patra
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND: To conduct a morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus (SH) using lumbosacral spine CT scans and to evaluate its clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia (CEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 77 lumbosacral spine CT scans from a diverse patient population. The shape of the SH was classified into common types: inverted U, inverted V, irregular, and bilobed. Morphometric measurements included the length, width, and depth at the apex of the SH. The apex level of the SH was also determined in relation to the sacral vertebrae, and statistical analysis was performed to identify any correlation between the apex level and the morphometric dimensions. RESULTS: The most frequent SH shape was inverted U (68.83%), followed by inverted V (20.77%), irregular (9%), and a single instance of a bilobed shape (1.29%). The apex of the SH was most commonly located at the level of the S4 vertebra (75.32%), followed by the S3 vertebra (20.77%), S5 in two (2.59%), and S2 in one (1.29%). No significant correlation was found between the level of the apex and the length, width, or depth of the SH. These findings indicate a high degree of anatomical variability in the SH, independent of the apex level. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical variability of the SH, as observed in this study, underscores the need for individualized assessment during CEA. The lack of correlation between the apex level and the morphometric dimensions of the SH highlights the importance of imaging modalities such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy to ensure precise localization and effective analgesia administration. These insights can improve clinical outcomes by enhancing the accuracy and safety of caudal epidural procedures.
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institution Kabale University
issn 0015-5659
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language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
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series Folia Morphologica
spelling doaj-art-99ba3d510a4d44ef88497d62825a12922025-08-20T13:27:47ZengVia MedicaFolia Morphologica0015-56591644-32842025-01-0184210.5603/fm.101363Morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus using lumbosacral spine CT scans: clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesiaApurba Patra0Harmeet Kaur1Priti Chaudhary2Adil Asghar3Navneh Samagh4Jerzy A. Walocha5https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8587-2315Bartosz Rutowicz6Karolina Brzegowy-Solewska7Dariusz Lusina8Janusz Skrzat9All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, IndiaAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, IndiaAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, IndiaAll India Institute of medical sciences, Phulwarisharif, 801507 Patna, IndiaAll India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bathinda, Punjab, IndiaDepartment of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, PolandDepartment of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, PolandDepartment of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, PolandDepartment of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, PolandDepartment of Anatomy, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, PolandBACKGROUND: To conduct a morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus (SH) using lumbosacral spine CT scans and to evaluate its clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia (CEA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 77 lumbosacral spine CT scans from a diverse patient population. The shape of the SH was classified into common types: inverted U, inverted V, irregular, and bilobed. Morphometric measurements included the length, width, and depth at the apex of the SH. The apex level of the SH was also determined in relation to the sacral vertebrae, and statistical analysis was performed to identify any correlation between the apex level and the morphometric dimensions. RESULTS: The most frequent SH shape was inverted U (68.83%), followed by inverted V (20.77%), irregular (9%), and a single instance of a bilobed shape (1.29%). The apex of the SH was most commonly located at the level of the S4 vertebra (75.32%), followed by the S3 vertebra (20.77%), S5 in two (2.59%), and S2 in one (1.29%). No significant correlation was found between the level of the apex and the length, width, or depth of the SH. These findings indicate a high degree of anatomical variability in the SH, independent of the apex level. CONCLUSIONS: The anatomical variability of the SH, as observed in this study, underscores the need for individualized assessment during CEA. The lack of correlation between the apex level and the morphometric dimensions of the SH highlights the importance of imaging modalities such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy to ensure precise localization and effective analgesia administration. These insights can improve clinical outcomes by enhancing the accuracy and safety of caudal epidural procedures.https://journals.viamedica.pl/folia_morphologica/article/view/101363anatomical variationsmorphologymorphometrylumbosacral spineCT scanscaudal epidural analgesia
spellingShingle Apurba Patra
Harmeet Kaur
Priti Chaudhary
Adil Asghar
Navneh Samagh
Jerzy A. Walocha
Bartosz Rutowicz
Karolina Brzegowy-Solewska
Dariusz Lusina
Janusz Skrzat
Morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus using lumbosacral spine CT scans: clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia
Folia Morphologica
anatomical variations
morphology
morphometry
lumbosacral spine
CT scans
caudal epidural analgesia
title Morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus using lumbosacral spine CT scans: clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia
title_full Morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus using lumbosacral spine CT scans: clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia
title_fullStr Morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus using lumbosacral spine CT scans: clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia
title_full_unstemmed Morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus using lumbosacral spine CT scans: clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia
title_short Morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus using lumbosacral spine CT scans: clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia
title_sort morphological and morphometric analysis of the sacral hiatus using lumbosacral spine ct scans clinical relevance in caudal epidural analgesia
topic anatomical variations
morphology
morphometry
lumbosacral spine
CT scans
caudal epidural analgesia
url https://journals.viamedica.pl/folia_morphologica/article/view/101363
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