Morphometric Computed Tomography-Based Analysis of Cervical Pedicle and Facet Joints in South Indian Population

Title: Morphometric CT based analysis of cervical pedicle and facet joints in South Indian population.

Aim: To evaluate individual morphometric variations of the cervical spine pedicles and facet joints by computed tomography among patients attending a tertiary care centre.

Methodology: A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out among 25 patients undergoing CT study of the cervical spine at Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Thandalam. Various measurements of the cervical pedicles and cervical facet joints were obtained and analysed as mean, standard deviation, and range using Statistical Package for the Social Sciencessoftware.

Results: Among the 25 subjects, 56% were males and 44% were females with mean age of 59.9 and 55.2 respectively. Pedicle length (PL) and Pedicle height (PH) was comparatively smaller in women than in men. Pedicle isthmus (PI) and Lateral pedicle distance (LPD) of C7 was the greatest in both genders. Pedicle axial length (PAL) was equal in both genders with left side being more than the right. Maximum Superior Pedicle distance (SPD) was found to be at C5 level in both genders. Sagittal angulation showed lesser values in females and the Transverse angulation was the lowest at C7 level in both genders. Facet tropism showed a decreasing pattern from C3 to C7 in both genders.

Conclusion: This study helps the surgeon to understand variations in the morphometrics of the study population and will be useful in the determination of a safe treatment modality.