Background

Knowledge of the anatomical dimensions of distinct areas of the vertebral bodies and vertebral arches of the subaxial cervical spine are indispensable in the planning of osteosynthesis. The minute dimensions and complex anatomical orientation of the posterior vertebral arch structures in the subaxial spine render the insertion of screws - where needed - a challenging procedure. The pedicle option carries the risk of serious complications while the alternative of lateral mass only permits the insertion of short screws.

Objective

The transverse process of the subaxial vertebrae offers unique possibilities on all counts and seems quite comparable in its dimensions with the pedicle. To our knowledge it has not been used previously for the insertion of screws in the subaxial spine.

Methods

Therefore, the scans of 66 cervical spines were analysed for distinct lines of both structures.

Results

The widths and lengths of the dorsal part of the transverse processes and of the pedicles are similar between both sides. Clear differences between females and males could be observed. The widths of both structures were closer to each other in C3 than in C4 to C7, while the lengths derived the most in C7.

Conclusion

The dorsal part of the transverse process might be suitable for the insertion of screws to stabilize the vertebral arch of the subaxial cervical spine. Gender adaptation might be required.

中文翻译：

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颈椎手术中椎弓根尺寸和下颈椎横突背侧尺寸的放射学分析

背景

在计划接骨术时，了解椎体和颈椎下椎弓的不同区域的解剖尺寸是必不可少的。轴下脊柱中后椎弓结构的微小尺寸和复杂的解剖方向使得在需要的地方插入螺钉是一个具有挑战性的过程。椎弓根选项存在严重并发症的风险，而侧块选项仅允许插入短螺钉。

客观的

轴下椎骨的横突在所有方面都提供了独特的可能性，并且在其尺寸上与椎弓根相当。据我们所知，它以前没有用于在轴下脊柱中插入螺钉。

方法

因此，对 66 根颈椎的扫描进行了分析，以确定两种结构的不同线条。

结果

两侧横突背侧部分和椎弓根的宽度和长度相似。可以观察到女性和男性之间的明显差异。与C4至C7相比，C3中两种结构的宽度彼此更接近，而C7中的长度最多。

结论

横突的背部可能适合插入螺钉以稳定下颈椎椎弓。可能需要性别适应。