The lumbar spinal canal in children. Part II: the interpedicular distance and its relation to the sagittal diameter and transverse pedicular width.

The lumbar interpedicular distance in 100 children aged 3-15 years have been determined radiologically before and after correction for magnification in the different age groups. The increase by age was approximately 2,5 mm in the upper four lumbar levels and 3,3 mm in L5. The difference between the vertebral levels was almost similar in the different age groups. A rather weak correlation between the interpedicular distance and the sagittal diameter of the spinal canal was found, strongest at the fourth lumbar level. No correlation was found between the interpedicular distance and the size of the pedicles. The results are discussed with reference to the pertinent embryology and with emphasis on the implications with regards to stenosis of the lumbar spinal canal.