The specific location where the spinal cord ended (conus medullaris) in the vertebral canal has been well studied in the adult population through the use of cadaveric studies. Many cadaveric and MRI studies were previously carried out with the primary goal to determine the precise level of conus medullaris termination, however, only a few studies conducted characterized both termination and the shape of conus medullaris.
Aim of the Work:
The aim and objectives of this prospective study is to determine the types and locations of conus medullaris in Egyptian patients.
Patients and Method:
This prospective study evaluated MRI findings of 1000 patients aged 5-100 years (445 male and 555 female) with complaints of low back pain at El-Hadra University Hospital, Alexandria. Patients with spinal deformity were excluded. Only those patients with good, readable MRI results were included. All patients were assessed using T1-weighted, midline, sagittal, spino-echo magnetic resonance imaging studies which was performed at 1.5 Tesla strength. Slice thickness for sagittal sequences 4mm. Axial sequences from pedicle to pedicle and angled to the disc space, and confirmed with T2-sagittal cuts. The method proposed by Arai et al was used to determine the shape and position of the conus medullaris.