Morphometric profile of the lumbar spine in the Indonesian population: vertebral body, pedicle, canal, and foramen dimensions.

Abstract

Aim: The lumbar spine is vital for supporting body weight and facilitating trunk mobility. Morphometric data of the lumbar spine in Southeast Asian populations, particularly the Indonesian population, remain limited. This study aimed to provide baseline morphometric parameters of the lumbar spine in Indonesia to enhance preoperative planning and surgical outcome.

Methods: This descriptive study analysed 150 adult patients (ages 17-55) who underwent CT scans at Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital in Malang between 2021 and 2023. Lumbar spine parameters, including vertebral body dimensions, pedicle morphometry, spinal canal diameter, intervertebral foramen size, and segmental height, were measured by independent, trained observers to minimize inter-observer variability. Data were extracted from the hospital's Radiology Information System (RIS).

Results: The mean vertebral body height (29.14 mm) and width (42.17 mm) were smaller than those reported in Western populations, but consistent with Indonesian data. The mean pedicle width at L3 was 10.78 mm, and the spinal canal diameter (13.9 mm) was narrower than in Western populations but similar to East Asian and Indian cohorts. These findings highlight anatomical differences that should be considered in spinal surgery, including implant sizing and preoperative planning.

Conclusion: This study provides essential baseline lumbar spine morphometric data for the Indonesian population. The results emphasize the need for region-specific surgical approaches. Future studies with larger, diverse samples are recommended to refine these findings and enhance clinical applications.