The Prevalence of Vertebral Osteophyte Formation in Northeast Thais

Abstract

Background: Vertebral osteophyte was the bony outgrowth occurred as a result of

pathological destruction to the vertebral joints. The plausible causes were osteoarthritis,

inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the spine. There was still no report of the

prevalence of vertebral osteophyte formation in the northeast Thais.

Objective: To study the prevalence and distribution of vertebral osteophyte formation in

the northeast Thais.

Materials and Methods: Two hundred Thai vertebral columns from 120 males and

80 females with an age range of 18-94 years were examined for the presence of

osteophyte. Locations of osteophyte on the vertebral body, facet joint, and  vertebral

foramen were recorded. The size of osteophyte on the vertebral body was also recorded.

Design: Descriptive study

Setting: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University

Results: The prevalence of osteophyte formation was 85% on the vertebral body, 71% on

the facet joint and 47% in the vertebral foramen. The most frequent sites on the

vertebral body were at L4 (73%), L5 (70%) and L3 (69%). In the thoracic levels, the most

frequent sites of osteophyte formation were found at T11 (50.5%) and T10 (49.5%). In

the cervical levels, the most frequent sites were found at C5 (46%), C6 (44%) and

C4 (38%). The average biggest size of osteophyte were found in the anterior part of the

superior border of L4 (123.71 mm²), L5 (111.18 mm²) and L3 (109 mm²). The most

frequent sites of osteophyte formation on the facet joint were found at L4 (62%),

L5 (59%) and L3(52%) respectively. The most frequent sites of osteophyte

formation in vertebral foramen were found on C4 (32.5%), C5 (29%) and C3 (24%).

The frequency-association among the osteophyte locations was highest between the

vertebral body and facet joint.The frequency of osteophyte formation at all vertebral

levels significantly increased with age. Between the sexes, osteophyte formation occurred

more significantly in male than females.

Conclusion: The prevalence of osteophyte formation on vertebral columns in Northeast

Thais were 85% on vertebral body, 71% on facet joint,  and 47% in vertebral foramen.

The osteophyte formation significantly increased with age and occurred more frequently

among  males.

Key words: prevalence, osteophyte, , vertebral column