IJAR.2025.252
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 13; Issue 4 (December 2025)
Page No.: 9381-9386
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijar.2025.252
A Radiological Study for Assessing the Prevalence of Dorsal Wall Agenesis of the Sacral Canal with Concomitant Developmental Anomalies in Other Organs
Dibendu Ghosh *1, Anandi S 2, Ashok Narayan S H 3, Debasis Bandyopadhyay 4, Gaurav Daniel 5, Saurav Dhand 6.
*1 Assistant Professor, Dept of Anatomy, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India. ORCiD: 0009-0008-9605-8915
2 Assistant Professor, Dept of Anatomy, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India. ORCiD: 0009-0000-0495-6526
3 Assistant Professor, Dept of Radiology, 151 Base Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India. ORCiD: 0000-0001-8748-6610
4 Professor and Head, Dept of Anatomy, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India. ORCiD: 0009-0009-4269-1851
5 Junior Resident, Dept of Anatomy, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India. ORCiD: 0009-0001-3762-7320
6 Junior Resident, Dept of Anatomy, Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, Maharashtra, India. ORCiD: 0009-0002-8755-3136
Corresponding Author: Dr. Dibendu Ghosh, Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Gate no. 4, Armed Forces Medical College, Near Race Course, Pune-Solapur highway road, Pune, Maharashtra, 411040, India. E-Mail: dib_dev2005@yahoo.com
Abstract
Background: The sacral canal is a component of the vertebral canal located within the sacrum. Aberrations in the embryogenesis of the sacrum can result in multiple vertebral anomalies. Complete non-fusion of the sacral spinous process, leading to an open dorsal wall of the sacral canal, can occur independently or be associated with other developmental anomalies. Our study aimed to ascertain the prevalence of open sacral canals within the western Maharashtrian population, as well as to demarcate the spectrum of concomitant embryological anomalies observed in individuals exhibiting this morphological variation.
Methodology: This retrospective study analysed 200 samples, including 106 males and 94 females, using computed tomographic (CT) sacral images collected over a 36-month period. The study assessed the prevalence of an open sacral canal. Simultaneously, individuals with positive findings on CT images were also corroborated for the presence of additional developmental anomalies documented in the respective CT images.
Results: This study showed the prevalence of an open sacral canal in 3 out of 200 CT images. Individuals with positive findings on the CT also exhibited additional abnormalities. A 48-year-old female had a right-sided hypoplastic kidney and type IV lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV) according to Castellvi’s classification. An 88-year-old male presented with an ectopic kidney (pelvic kidney) and renal calculi. A 26-year-old male showed spina bifida at the 5th lumbar vertebra, an extrarenal pelvis (right), and pelvic ureteric junction obstruction with hydronephrosis (left).
Conclusions: The present study revealed a prevalence of 1.5% for the complete absence of the dorsal wall of the sacral canal. Furthermore, it revealed the presence of additional developmental anomalies in adjacent vertebrae and kidneys. It is essential to confirm a prior diagnosis of complete absence of the dorsal wall of the sacral canal during the pre-anaesthesia check, as this condition absolutely contraindicates the use of caudal epidural anaesthesia. All sacral vertebral anomalies require a comprehensive evaluation to rule out other developmental anomalies, particularly renal anomalies.
Key words: Open Sacral Canal, Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra, Renal Anomaly.
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