Lumbosacral Transitional Segments: An Interventional Spine Specialist's Practical Approach

Abstract

The presence of a lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) should prompt a more detailed preprocedural evaluation of the vertebral column to accurately determine spinal levels. An LSTV should prompt the use of corroborating intraprocedural imaging to verify morphology. The most important factors in treating lumbosacral transitional segments are communication among treating physicians to ensure segmental enumeration consistency and associated appropriate patient treatment.

Keywords: Herniated nucleus pulposis; Lumbarized S1; Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae; MRI; Radiculopathy; Sacralized L5; Spinal stenosis; Transitional segment anatomy.