The lumbar interpediculate distance is widened in adults with the Marfan syndrome - Data from 32 cases

32 patients with Marfan syndrome, diagnosed with DePaepe's criteria, volunt eered for this study, All patients underwent standard anteroposterior radio graphs of the lumbar spine. Interpediculate distances (IPD) at each level w ere compared to those of previously established norms. Criteria were develo ped to determine the presence of Marfan using "cut-off values" for the IPDs at each lumbar level. The IPDs were significantly larger in the Marfan pat ients at all lumbar levels. Cut-off values were calculated setting the spec ificity at 95% at each lumbar level. The cut-off value at L4 yielded the gr eatest sensitivity. We conclude that the IPDs are widened in patients with Marfan syndrome. The IPD at L4 is a good criterion for Marfan with specific ity of 95% and sensitivity of 75%. One must consider using this as a skelet al criterion or a screening tool for Marfan.