Castellvi classification of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae

Last revised by Dr Sonam Vadera ◉ on 04 Oct 2021

Citation, DOI & article data

Citation:

Goel, A., Vadera, S. Castellvi classification of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 29 Sep 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-24141

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-24141

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/24141

rID:

24141

Article created:

29 Jul 2013 by Dr Ayush Goel ◉

Revisions:

26 times by 11 users - see full revision history

Systems:

Musculoskeletal, Spine

Section:

Classifications

Tags:

refs, cases, spine, variant

Synonyms:

Castellvi classification
Castellvi's classification
Lumbosacral transitional vertebra (Castellvi classification)

The Castellvi classification is used for lumbosacral transitional vertebra (LSTV):

type I: enlarged and dysplastic transverse process (at least 19 mm)
- Ia: unilateral
- Ib: bilateral
type II: pseudoarticulation of the transverse process and sacrum with incomplete lumbarization/sacralization; enlargement of the transverse process with pseudoarthrosis
- IIa: unilateral
- IIb: bilateral
type III: transverse process fuses with the sacrum and there is complete lumbarization or sacralization, enlarged transverse process with complete fusion
- IIIa: unilateral
- IIIb: bilateral
type IV: type IIa on one side and type IIIa on the contralateral side

History and etymology

This classification system was initially described by Castellvi et al in 1984, in a study examining the association of lumbosacral transitional vertebrae with herniated lumbar discs ³.