Dysplastic deformities of the vertebral segments in osteochondropathy

Abstract

Roentgenologic features for diagnosis of thoracic, thoracolumbar and lumbar osteochondropathy were analysed in 250 patients, aged 11-44. The following dysplastic deformities of vertebral motion segments were detected: dysplastic deformities of intervertebral disks and vertebral bodies; dysplasia of vertebral arches; dysplasia of intervertebral joints; dysplastic deformities of transversal processes. Data obtained allow to confirm that spine osteochondropathy (Sheuermann's disease) is a dysplastic process the nature of which is the structural abnormality of the endplates and concomitent disturbance in vertebral body growth plates. Detected dysplastic deformities in vertebral segments may be either of congenital origin or acquired ones resulted from morphogenesis disorder.