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Facet coverage in children on flexion lateral cervical radiographs
1University of Michigan Hospitals, Department of Radiology, Ann Arbor, USA. lkuhns@umich.edu
Study Design:
This radiographic study was designed to attempt to develop standards of facet coverage (overlap) on lateral cervical radiographs during voluntary flexion.
Objective:
To produce normative standards for minimum facet coverage in children.
Summary Of Background Data:
Previous studies on normative standards of facet coverage have been performed only in adults.
Methods:
Thirty-six children with minor trauma had lateral flexion-extension radiographs. A standard filming sequence was used in all. Facet joint overlap at each level was divided by the anteroposterior diameter of the upper adjacent cervical body at each level.
Results:
On linear regression analysis, these ratios did not vary significantly with age at C2-C3 through C6-C7. Means and standard deviations were determined for C2-C7.
Conclusions:
These ratios may prove useful in evaluation of children with possible ligamentous injury.