ABSTRACT
Background: The features of the odontoid process and vertebral body of axis vertebra through MRI can be assessed
Objective: To evaluate the morphology of odontoid process and body of axis vertebra in male and female Pakistani population through MRI
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted on fifty males and fifty females [24 - 70 years of age] were randomly selected from the MRI suit of Radiology department Sheikh Zayed Hospital, from 1 June 2014 to 30 June 2015. Patients with gross pathology or degenerative bone disease and those with evidence of an injury to upper cervical spine were excluded from the study. The measurements of odontoid process [height, APdiameter and vertical angle] were assessed. Height of axis vertebra and various parameters of vertebral body of the axis were observed. The data was entered and analyzed by using SPSS version 24
Results: The mean height of odontoid process was 19.2 mm in females and 20.7 mm in males. The mean APdiameter of odontoid process was 10.1 mm in females and 10.6 mm in males. The mean vertical angle of odontoid process was 60.0 in females and 61.4 in males. The mean height of axis vertebra was 35.6 mm in females and 38.3 mm in males. Anterior body height of axis vertebra was 16.4 mm in females and 17.7 mm in males. Posterior body height was 13.9 mm in females and 14.5 mm in males. The mean APdiameter of the axis body was measured to be 15.9 mm in females and 17.0 mm in males
Conclusion: The findings in this study may be useful to the surgeons to avoid injury to vital structures while working around the axis vertebra. These observations may be helpful to devise new methods of fixation of fractures of odontoid process which may decrease the time of union and danger of nonunion
ABSTRACT
To assess the prevalence and morphometry of arcuate foramen and comparison with native foramen transversarium in atlas vertebrae of Pakistani population. Descriptive / observational study. This study was conducted at Anatomy department, Sheikh Zayed Medical College Rahim Yar Khan and Wah Medical College Wah Cantt. during a period of two years from Jan 2012 to Dec. 2013. The study included 150 dried human atlas vertebrae. Prevalance of complete arcuate foramina [CAFs] in atlas vertebrae were noted and its anteroposterior and superoinferior diameters were measured by vernier calipers with accuracy of 0.01 mm. Size and shape of CAFs were compared with native foramina transversaria [NFTs]. Out of 150 atlas vertebrae, 13 [8.66%] showed CAF. The mean anteroposterior diameter of the right CAF was 6.71 mm and that of left was 6.76 mm. The mean superoinferior diameter was 5.07 mm on the right and on left side it was 5.22 mm. The mean cross-sectional area of CAFs was 26.74 mm[2] and 27.77 mm[2] for the right and left sides respectively. The mean cross-sectional area of the right NFTs was 34.86 mm[2], while the mean area for the left was 35.31 mm[2]. This study provides information on the morphometry of arcuate foramen and ipsilateral native foramina transversaria [NFTs] and their implications. The observation that CAFs are smaller than ipsilateral NFTs suggests that they are an important cause of vertebral artery compression syndromes and needs careful investigations. Knowledge of CAF may help the surgeons undertaking procedures in the C1 region
ABSTRACT
To assess morphological variations of superior articular facets of atlas vertebrae. Descriptive observational study. This study was conducted at the Anatomy Department, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan and Wah Medical College, Wah Cantt., district Rawalpindi. Duration of this study was two years. The study included 60 dried human atlas vertebrae of unknown age and sex. The instruments were hand lens, lead pencil and markers. Morphological parameters of presence of a notch/ constriction, presence of a groove, tendency of separation, pressure facets and shape of 120 superior articular facets [SAFs] were examined and noted. In superior articular facets notch/constriction on medial border was 13.33%, lateral border 15% and on both borders 40%. The SAFs without notch/constriction were 31.67%. Grooves on right, left and bilateral facets were 11.67%, 23.33% and 46.67% respectively. No groove was present in 18.33% SAF. The tendency of separation on right and left facets [right 50%, left 48.33%] showed no significant difference. Incomplete separation [right 6.66%, left 8.33%] and complete separation [right 3.33%, left 5%] was slightly more frequent on left side as compared to the right SAF. The pressure facets were present on 5% on right side, 6.66% on left side and 51.66% SAF on both sides. Regarding the shapes of SAF, dumb-bell was the most frequent [34.17%] followed by oval [31.67%] figure of eight [20.83%] and kidney shape [13.33%]. The knowledge of quantitative anatomy of superior articular facets of atlas vertebrae will prove useful for the surgeons who perform operative procedure in this region and will help in avoiding complications
ABSTRACT
To assess number, type and diameter of accessory foramen transversarium [AFT] in the cervical spine. Descriptive observational study. This study was conducted at Anatomy department, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan and Wah Medical College, Wah Cantt., district Rawalpindi. Duration of this study was two years. The study included 45 sets of cervical spine [315 human cervical vertebrae]. Direct measurements were taken with vernier calipers sensitive to 0.01 mm. The data were collected on a designed collection sheet. Number, type and diameter of AFT were assessed, recorded and analysed. Out of 315 human cervical vertebrae, the numbers of AFTs were mostly observed in the lower cervical vertebrae; C4, C5 and C6 showed AFTs present as 13.33%, 35.55% and 51.11%. AFTs were 33 on right side and 46 on left side. AFT type I was the most common present in 52 vertebrae [16.50%]. The mean AFT diameter on right side was 2.13 +/- 0.53 mm and on left side it was 2.29 +/- 0.73 mm. The incidence of AFT was higher in our population and AFTs were more in the lower cervical vertebrae. Studying the number, type and diameter of AFTs is of clinical significance in understanding the possible neurovascular variation and their course. Such variations should always be suspected when examining transverse processes having an unusual pattern of foramina transversaria
ABSTRACT
To assess number, type and diameter of accessory foramen transversarium [AFT] in the cervical spine. Descriptive observational study. Anatomy department, Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan and Wah Medical College, Wah Cantt., district Rawalpindi. Duration of this study was two years. The study included 45 sets of cervical spine [315 human cervical vertebrae]. Direct measurements were taken with vernier calipers sensitive to 0.01 mm. Number, type and diameter of AFTs were assessed, recorded and analysed. Most of the AFTs were observed in the lower cervical vertebrae; C4, C5 and C6 showed AFTs present as 13.33%, 35.55% and 51.11%. AFTs were 33 on right side and 46 on left side. AFT type I was the most common present in 52 vertebrae [16.50%]. The mean AFT diameter on right side was 2.13 +/- 0.53 mm and on left side it was 2.29 +/- 0.73 mm. The incidence of AFT was higher in our population and AFTs were more in the lower cervical vertebrae. Studying the number, type and diameter of AFTs is of clinical significance in understanding the possible neurovascular variation and their course. Such variations should always be suspected when examining transverse processes having an unusual pattern of foramina transversaria
Subject(s)
Humans , SpineABSTRACT
Background: The anteroposterior and transverse diameter of cervical spinal canal is reported to have some variability among different populations
Objective: To determine the midsagittal [antero posterior] diameter at the inlet and outlet and coronal [transverse] diameter of cervical spinal canal in first cervical [atlas] and second cervical [axis] vertebrae. Additionally review of literature was conducted to compare the findings with previous reported findings
Material and methods: This descriptive study was conducted in Anatomy department of Sheikh Zayed Medical College, Rahim Yar Khan and Wah Medical College, Wah Cantt. Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Measurement of midsagittal and coronal diameter of spinal canal of first and second cervical vertebrae was carried on dried human spinal columns of Pakistani origin
Results: In atlas vertebra mean midsagittal inlet and outlet diameter was 32.96 and 30.46 mm respectively whereas coronal diameter was 27.89 mm. In axis vertebra mean midsagittal inlet and outlet diameter was 20.74 and 15.80 mm respectively with a coronal diameter of 22.73 mm
Conclusion: Measurement of sagittal and coronal diameter of upper cervical spinal canal is of great clinical significance. Larger sagittal diameter of spinal canal has a protective effect with respect to injury of the spinal cord, so further studies are suggested to standardized the values of spinal canal