Aim:to show the relationship of lumbar intervertebral disc with the ureters with computerized tomography.
Material and Methods:A total of 80 patients (M/F:42/38) with a mean age of 45 were included in our retrospective study.The patients were divided into two groups ( male as group 1, and female as group2). Later, these two groups were divided into two groups as under 55 year-old (Group 1A and, group 2A) and over 55 year-old (Group 1B and, Group 2B). An imaginary line passing through the tangential to posterior cortex of the body at the intervertebral disc level (line a) was drawn. Two lines were drawn from the ureters perpendicular to this line (line b). The lines of the cortex where the a-line was cut ( c point ) were also drawn from the contralateral ureter (d line). Line b and d distances were measured. Another line was drawn from both c points to the ipsilateral ureters ( line x). The angle between line a and line x was measured ( x angle).
Results:The right kidney hilus was more inferior than the left kidney hilus. There was a significant negative correlation between the b line and the lumbar level (r:-0,95). The average length of the b line was 2,1 cm at lower lomber levels. There was a positive correlation between X angle and lumbar level ( p<0.05). The X angle was increased from 38° to 80° as descend to the lower lumbar levels. X angle was significantly higher in male patients (p<0,05). No significant correlation was found between the d line and the lumbar level.
Conclusion:Computed tomography is an illuminating modality in order to elucidate the relationship between intervertebral disc and ureter preoperatively and to visualize retroperitoneum.
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