Table 1

Redefining lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) classification through integrating the full spectrum of morphological alterations in a biomechanical continuum.2

Dysplastic L5 Transverse Process (TP)*Type I AType I BType I A F (i/c) or Type I B F(i/c)Type I A F2 or Type I B F2-
Unilateral TP ≤ 19 mm in width*Bilateral TPs ≤ 19 mm in width* With presence of ipsi/contra lateral rudimentary facet to the side of the L5 enlargement With presence of bilateral rudimentary facets
Accessory articulationsType II A Type II B Type II A F(i/c) or Type I B F(i/c) Type II A 2F or Type II B 2F
Unilateral L5-S1 accessory articulation Bilateral L5-S1 accessory articulations With presence of ipsi/contra lateral rudimentary facet to the side of the diarthrosis With presence of bilateral rudimentary facets -
Sacralisation**Type II AType III BType III CType III A F (i/c) or Type III B F(i/c) or Type IIIC FType III A 2F or Type III B 2F or Type III C 2F
Unilateral L5-S1 sacralisation Unilateral complete sacralisation with contralateral L5-S1 pseudoarthrosis Bilateral complete L5-S1 sacralisation With presence of ipsi/contra lateral rudiemntary facet to the side of the sacralisation With presence of bilateral rudimentary facets
Lumbarisation** Type IV A Type IV B Type IV C Type IV D Type IV A F(i/c) or Type IV B F(i/c) or Type IV C F or Type IV D F Type IV A 2F or Type IV B 2F or Type IV C 2F or Type IV D 2F
Incomplete/partial lumbarisation of S1 as an accessory S1-2 articulation Unilateral complete separation of S1 from sacral mass Bilateral S1-2 accessory articulation Complete sacralisation with residual four segment sacrum With presence of ipsi/contra lateral rudimentary facet to the side of the diarthrosis With presence of bilateral rudimentary facets
  • * Southworth and Bersack.29 Modifications on the Castellvi's classifications are given in bold and italics.

  • ** Situations with aymmetric augmentation of the auricular surface may be represented by adding the alphebets SR+ or SL+ for the corresponding right or the left sides.