Case ReportCASE REPORTS AND CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS
Open Access

Surgical Resection of Bertolotti Syndrome

Gonzalo Sumarriva, Brandon Cook and Paul Celestre
Ochsner Journal March 2022, 22 (1) 76-79; DOI: https://doi.org/10.31486/toj.21.0012

Article Figures & Data

Figures

  • Figure 1.
    Figure 1.

    Anteroposterior lower lumbar spine preoperative radiograph demonstrates prominent L5 transverse processes bilaterally (left greater than right). The left transverse process appears to articulate with the sacrum (arrow demonstrates articulation).

  • Figure 2.
    Figure 2.

    Anteroposterior lower lumbar spine intraoperative radiograph demonstrates excision of L5 transitional articulation with the sacrum on the left.

  • Figure 3.
    Figure 3.

    Transitional vertebrae as classified by Castellvi et al.5 Type I has a large transverse process. Type II has a diarthrodial joint between the transverse process and sacrum/ilium. Type III has a bony union between the transverse process and sacrum/ilium. Type IV has unilateral type II and contralateral type III defects. For types I to III, subset A signifies a unilateral defect and subset B signifies bilateral defects. (Original art by Heather Taillac, MD, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA. Published with permission.)

Tables

  • Table.

    Classification of Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae by Castellvi et al5

    TypeDefinition
    ILarge transverse process >19 mm
    IIDiarthrodial joint between the transverse process and sacrum/ilium
    IIIBony union between the transverse process and sacrum/ilium
    IVUnilateral type II and contralateral type III

    • Note: For types I, II, and III, subset A signifies a unilateral defect, and subset B signifies bilateral defects.

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