Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2023, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (4): 500-504.doi: 10.12307/2022.994

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Finite element model of the 12-year-old child whole cervical spine: establishment and validity verification based on CT data

Liu Qinghua1, Cai Yongqiang2, Jin Feng3, Yu Jinghong4, Wang Haiyan5, Zhang Yunfeng4, Wang Lidong6, Li Jiawei1, Wang Xing5, He Yujie5, Dai Lina5, Wang Jianzhong5, Wu Chao1, Tong Ling1, Kang Zhijie1, Li Zhijun2, 5, Li Xiaohe5   

  1. 1Graduate School, 2Digital Medicine Center (Digital Translational Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), 5Department of Human Anatomy, Inner Mongolia Medical University; 3Department of Imaging, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University; 4Department of Imaging, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010000; 6Department of Imaging, Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital, Hohhot 010000
  • Received:2021-08-18 Accepted:2021-09-30 Online:2023-02-08 Published:2022-06-22
  • Contact: Li Xiaohe, MD, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Department of Human Anatomy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Li Zhijun, Master, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Digital Medicine Center (Digital Translational Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), and Department of Human Anatomy, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Liu Qinghua, Master candidate, Graduate School, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Cai Yongqiang, Master, Lecturer, Digital Medicine Center (Digital Translational Medicine Engineering Technology Research Center of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region), Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, No, 2020MS08124 (to LXH); 2020 “Grassland Talents” Innovative and Entrepreneur Young Talent Project of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (to LXH); Science and Technology Million Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2017KJBW012 (to WHY); 2020 Inner Mongolia Medical University Follow-up Research Project (to LXH); Inner Mongolia Science and Technology Program Project, No. 2019GG115 (to LZJ)

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: The finite element model of the pediatric cervical spine is mostly established in children aged 10 years old or younger, and the established segments are only a part of the cervical spine, while the finite element model of the 12-year-old child whole cervical spine is rarely reported.  
OBJECTIVE: To establish a finite element model of the 12-year-old child whole cervical spine, providing a theoretical basis for studying cervical spine mobility and stress and clinical treatments for cervical spine diseases in children.
METHODS:  A healthy child aged 12 years old was selected randomly, and a 64-row spiral CT was used to obtain the image of the child’s cervical spine. Then the CT data were introduced into the Mimics 16.0 to reconstruct a three-dimensional model. CERO 5.0 software was used to input the model into Hypermesh 14.0, which could divide the mesh and add ligaments. Subsequently, ANSYS 6.14 software was used to perform material assignment and set boundaries to construct a three-dimensional finite element model of the cervical spine. The validity of the model was finally verified. The range of motion of each vertebral body was compared with literature data under six working conditions of the model: flexion and extension, left and right flexion and extension, and left and right rotation. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional finite element model of the 12-year-old child whole cervical spine was successfully established using the finite element software. The model had a high degree of reduction and nice similarity to the child’s cervical spine. Under the load of 1.5 N▪m, the mobility of the C4-5 and C6-7 in rotating conditions was lower than previously reported, and the mobility of the remaining segments in various conditions was within the reference range as previously reported. Thus, this model is available for subsequent stress research and clinical treatment.

Key words: whole cervical spine, finite element analysis, child, validity verification, mobility

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