ABSTRACT
To describe the prevalence of the full spectrum of transverse process elongation and cervical ribs for the first time in over a decade in a Saudi population, trying to assess any changes in the interim. A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the 3-month period between October and December 2010. The study comprised a radiologic review of 1,000 consecutive chest radiographs of adults from the digital database looking for the presence of cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes. Our study showed that cervical ribs are present in 3.4% of our population; a female to male ratio was 2.01 to 1. They were bilateral in 41% of those afflicted individuals. Elongated transverse processes were present in 23%. The prevalence of cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes in our population is higher than that reported in other populations. It also shows an interim increase in prevalence when compared with a previous study on our population more than a decade back
ABSTRACT
Anterior iliac crest is the most common donor site for anterior cervical spine surgeries. We searched the literature to summarize the reported fractures of the anterior iliac crest following bone graft harvesting for anterior cervical fusion and documented our experience with such complication. In this account, we report 3 new patients with this rare complication of fracture of the anterior iliac crest following bone graft for anterior cervical fusion. The dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scan was performed in all our patients to assess bone mineral density and all patients had osteoporosis. Non-operative treatment was the method of treatment in our patients. A better understanding of surgical technique and complications of iliac crest bone grafting is important to minimize graft site morbidity, and even more important is identification of risk factors that are involved in fracture of the iliac crest