Lumbar Pedicle Morphometric Analysis: A Thorough Review

Abstract

Assessing the size and shape of lumbar vertebral pedicles is important when planning and performing spinal surgeries, especially those involving pedicle screws. Knowing the exact dimensions helps doctors place the screws just right, which makes the spine more stable and reduces chances of problems like screw loosening, pedicle breaches, or injury to nerves and blood vessels. Recent advances in imaging tools, such as measurements taken from dry bones, traditional CT scans, and high-resolution micro-CT scans, have made it easier to gather detailed anatomical data on lumbar pedicles. These studies show that the shape and size of pedicles can vary a lot depending on factors like age, gender, ethnicity, and the specific level of the spine. What's more, using Hounsfield Units (HU) from CT scans has become a useful way to predict bone quality and assess the risk of screw loosening, helping surgeons make better decisions. This review brings together recent research from both Indian and international populations, focusing on pedicle size measurements, how they differ in various regions, and how they change with age. It also identifies anatomical features that may make screw stability more challenging. By reviewing multiple studies, this article aims to emphasize the best methods used in research, summarize key findings, discuss what these mean for clinical practice, and suggest ways to improve pre-surgery planning—eventually making surgeries safer and outcomes better.