The lumbar interpediculate distance is widened in adults with the Marfan syndrome: Data from 32 cases

Nicholas U. Ahn Departments of 1Orthopaedic Surgery and 2Oncology, Division of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Correspondence: Dr. Paul Sponseller, Department of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Caroline St., 5th floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Tel + 1 410-955-3870. Fax -614 1451

Uri M. Ahn Departments of 1Orthopaedic Surgery and 2Oncology, Division of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Correspondence: Dr. Paul Sponseller, Department of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Caroline St., 5th floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Tel + 1 410-955-3870. Fax -614 1451

Leelakrishna Nallamshetty Departments of 1Orthopaedic Surgery and 2Oncology, Division of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Correspondence: Dr. Paul Sponseller, Department of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Caroline St., 5th floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Tel + 1 410-955-3870. Fax -614 1451

Peter S. Rose Departments of 1Orthopaedic Surgery and 2Oncology, Division of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Correspondence: Dr. Paul Sponseller, Department of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Caroline St., 5th floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Tel + 1 410-955-3870. Fax -614 1451

Jacob M. Buchowski Departments of 1Orthopaedic Surgery and 2Oncology, Division of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Correspondence: Dr. Paul Sponseller, Department of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Caroline St., 5th floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Tel + 1 410-955-3870. Fax -614 1451

Elizabeth S. Garrett Departments of 1Orthopaedic Surgery and 2Oncology, Division of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Correspondence: Dr. Paul Sponseller, Department of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Caroline St., 5th floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Tel + 1 410-955-3870. Fax -614 1451

Khaled M. Kebaish Departments of 1Orthopaedic Surgery and 2Oncology, Division of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Correspondence: Dr. Paul Sponseller, Department of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Caroline St., 5th floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Tel + 1 410-955-3870. Fax -614 1451

Paul D. Sponseller Departments of 1Orthopaedic Surgery and 2Oncology, Division of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Correspondence: Dr. Paul Sponseller, Department of Orthopaedics, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 601 N. Caroline St., 5th floor, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Tel + 1 410-955-3870. Fax -614 1451

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Abstract

32 patients with Marfan syndrome, diagnosed with DePaepe's criteria, volunteered for this study. All patients underwent standard anteroposterior radiographs of the lumbar spine. Interpediculate distances (IPD) at each level were compared to those of previously established norms. Criteria were developed to determine the presence of Marfan using "cut-off values" for the IPDs at each lumbar level. The IPDs were significantly larger in the Marfan patients at all lumbar levels. Cut-off values were calculated setting the specificity at 95% at each lumbar level. The cut-off value at L4 yielded the greatest sensitivity. We conclude that the IPDs are widened in patients with Marfan syndrome. The IPD at L4 is a good criterion for Marfan with specificity of 95% and sensitivity of 75%. One must consider using this as a skeletal criterion or a screening tool for Marfan.

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The lumbar interpediculate distance is widened in adults with the Marfan syndrome: Data from 32 cases

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The lumbar interpediculate distance is widened in adults with the Marfan syndrome: Data from 32 cases

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