Incidence of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae in low back pain patients

The aim of this study is to determine by plain radiography if there is a relationship between lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) and low back pain (LBP) The correlation or relationship between LSTV and LBP has been highly controversial. Widely varying and contrasting findings have been reported by various investigators. While some studies have indicated the etiological significance of LSTV in LBP, others have strongly refuted this. 300 radiographs of patients seen in 1999 and 2000, in the Radiology department, complaining of LBP were randomly chosen. The radiographs were examined, studied and data collected were analysed and reported. Of the total number of patients seen, 143 (48%) were males and 157 (52%) were females. The incidence of LSTV was found to be 37% and with a male preponderance. This incidence of 37% is quite high and can not be discountenanced.