Plain radiography of the lumbosacral spine in Marfan syndrome

Background context : Marfan syndrome is a connective tissue disorder that results from a defect in the production of fibrillin. These patients tend to have several osseous anomalies of the lumbosacral spine. Purpose: This study examines the effectiveness of plain radiographic findings in predicting Marfan syndrome. Study design/setting : Case-control study. Patient sample: Fourteen height-matched controls and 33 patients with Marfan syndrome were obtained from our genetics clinic or through the National Marfan Foundation. Outcome measures: Determined using measurements taken on plain radiographs. Methods: Five measurements were acquired of the lumbosacral spine from the radiographs of both groups: interpedicular distance, scalloping value, sagittal canal diameter, vertebral body width and transverse process width. Results: The following measurements were significantly larger in patients with Marfan syndrome: interpedicular distance at L1–L5 (p