The width of the cervical vertebral bodies and transverse foramina with regard to the course of vertebral arteries and degenerative and dystrophic changes of the spine

Introduction. The cervical spine has a high mobility and is prone to the development of degenerative and dystrophic changes (DDCH). Expanding the range of clinical diagnostic capabilities requires the active development of algorithms for specialized information analysis tools. Data on individual variability of the skeleton are in demand when planning minimal invasive surgical interventions. The comparison of such information with clinical practice data has become an important task for researchers. The study of anatomical variability is relevant in the search for more effective ways of performing neurosurgical interventions.
Aim. A comparative analysis of transverse dimensions of the cervical vertebral bodies and transverse foramina in relation to the course of the vertebral arteries (VA) and manifestations of spinal DDCH.
M a t e r i a l s  a n d  m e t h o d s . A total of 214 magnetic resonance images were studied. The transverse size (width) of the cervical vertebral bodies and the average transverse size (width) of the transverse foramina (the distance between the medial and lateral walls of the transverse foramina) were determined. To assess the proportionality of the relationship between the abovementioned parameters, the average ratio of the transverse foramen width to the width of the body of the corresponding vertebra was calculated. Considering the DDCH of the cervical spine and the course of VA, 4 groups were identified: 1st group – without signs of DDCH and indirect VA (n = 20); 2nd group – without signs of DDCH and direct VA (n = 89); 3rd group – with signs of DDCH and indirect VA (n = 49); 4th group – with signs of DDCH and direct VA (n = 56).
Results. The width of the transverse foramina of the C4–C6 vertebrae differed by 0.29–0.78 mm when comparing the 1st and 2nd groups, by 0.24–0.58 mm when comparing the 1st and 3rd groups (foramina on the left side were wider). The width of the C3, C6, C7 vertebral bodies when comparing the 1st and 4th groups diff ered by 0.8–1.2 mm; at the level of C3, C7 when comparing the 2nd and 3rd groups – by 0.35–0.53 mm. The mean values of the transverse foramina width/vertebral body width ratio in all groups ranged from 0.2 to 0.29. Signifi cant differences were found for the C4–C6 vertebrae when comparing the 1st and 2nd groups; for the C4, C6 vertebrae – the 1st and 3rd groups; for the C5, C6 vertebrae – the 1st and 4th groups.
C o n c l u s i o n . In the diagnosis of spinal DDCH and the diff erent course of VA, significant differences were found for the vertebral body width at the level of C6, C7. No significant differences were noted for the vertebral body width in groups differing only in the course of VA. In the absence of DDCH, diff erences were revealed for the transverse foramina width of the C4–C6 vertebrae and the ratio of the width of transverse foramina to vertebral body width. With the direct course of the vessels, there were no statistically significant differences associated with the detection of DDCH for the vertebrae and transverse foramina.

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