Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2011, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (30): 5582-5586.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.30.018

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Clinical anatomic study of lower cervical pedicle in a Chinese population by three dimensional reformations of multi-slice spiral CT

Zhu Ruo-fu1, Yang Hui-lin1, Li Ji-gang1, Hu Chun-hong2, Wang Gen-lin1, Tang Tian-si1   

  1. 1Department of Orthopedics, 2Imaging Diagnosis Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou  215006, Jiangsu Province, China
  • Received:2011-01-29 Revised:2011-03-07 Online:2011-07-23 Published:2011-07-23
  • Contact: Yang Hui-lin, Doctor, Chief physician, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Department of Orthopedics Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu Province, China
  • About author:Zhu Ruo-fu☆, Doctor, Attending physician, Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, Jiangsu Province, China Maomao102784@126.com
  • Supported by:

    the Young Teacher Fund of Soochow University, No. Q3122935*

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Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Anatomic variations between individuals in the size and shape of cervical pedicles limit the application of pedicle screw.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate lower cervical pedicle (C3-7) dimensions in a Chinese population by multiplanar reformations (MPR) of multi-slice spiral CT.
METHODS: The dimensions of the pedicles (C3-7) were determined in 60 patients with cervical spinal lesions from CT images. Measurements of pedicle height, width, pedicle axis length, effective length, and two angles of the pedicles, the distances from the projection point of the pedicle axis to the lateral edge of the lateral mass and the inferior edge of the superior facet were measured.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The outer pedicle width was smaller than the height in most of the pedicles. This measurement was significantly different between male and female patients in outer pedicle width of pedicle at C3 and C4. The distances from the projection point to inferior edge of the superior facet did not show uniform pattern of change from C3 to C7, whereas the distances from the projection point to the lateral edge of the lateral mass consistently increased from cephalad to caudal. The smallest pedicle transverse angle was at C7 in male and female. Transpedicular screw placement for the cervical pedicle of C3, C4 must be cautious in the Chinese female population before the exact pedicle transverse diameters are known. Most of cervical pedicle (C5-7) in a Chinese population is suited for pedicle fixation of 3.5 mm screw. Taking into consideration some variations between individuals, these data combined with evaluation of results of preoperative computed axial tomography are required before operation.

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