PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - G.P. Konin
AU  - D.M. Walz
TI  - Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae: Classification, Imaging Findings, and Clinical Relevance
AID  - 10.3174/ajnr.A2036
DP  - 2010 Nov 01
TA  - American Journal of Neuroradiology
PG  - 1778--1786
VI  - 31
IP  - 10
4099  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/31/10/1778.short
4100  - http://www.ajnr.org/content/31/10/1778.full
SO  - Am. J. Neuroradiol.2010 Nov 01; 31
AB  - SUMMARY: LSTVs are common within the spine, and their association with low back pain has been debated in the literature for nearly a century. LSTVs include sacralization of the lowest lumbar vertebral body and lumbarization of the uppermost sacral segment. These vertebral bodies demonstrate varying morphology, ranging from broadened transverse processes to complete fusion. Low back pain associated with an LSTV may arise from the level above the transition, the contralateral facet when unilateral, and/or the anomalous articulation when present. Although this association is still somewhat controversial, beyond dispute is the importance of identifying an LSTV in patients in whom a surgical or interventional procedure is planned. This is essential to avoid an intervention or surgery at an incorrect level. In this article, each of these issues will be addressed with attention to identifying and correctly numbering LSTVs as well as detecting imaging findings related to the genesis of low back pain. APanteroposteriorLSTVlumbosacral transitional vertebra