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Published on: January 5, 2015
Cervical spinal canal plasticity in children as determined by the vertebral body ratio technique
M D Robinson1, B Northrup, R Sabo
1Department of Neurosurgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Insights
The canal ratio, a standardized measurement for the cervical spine, decreases with age from childhood to adulthood. This ratio may help detect early spinal canal diseases in children.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Imaging
Background:
- The sagittal cervical canal measurement is crucial for assessing spinal stenosis.
- Standardizing this measurement, particularly in pediatrics, is essential due to spinal growth.
- The canal ratio, using vertebral body diameter, offers a standardized approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the canal ratio in a pediatric and adult population.
- To determine the effect of age and spinal growth on the canal ratio.
- To assess the potential of the canal ratio in identifying early spinal canal abnormalities.
Main Methods:
- Lateral cervical spine radiographs of 301 normal individuals were analyzed.
- Participants were grouped according to age.
- The canal ratio was calculated and compared across age groups.
Main Results:
- A consistent decrease in the canal ratio was observed from pediatric to adult groups.
- Statistically significant decreases were noted between adjacent age groups, except for the oldest two.
- The findings highlight age-related changes in cervical spinal canal dimensions.
Conclusions:
- The canal ratio demonstrates age-dependent variations in the cervical spine.
- This measurement may serve as a valuable tool for detecting early signs of disease in the pediatric spinal canal.
- Further research can explore its clinical utility in pediatric spinal conditions.
Abstract:
The sagittal cervical canal measurement from a plain spine radiography is easy to obtain and has a smaller range than the interpedicular distance. In an effort to standardize the sagittal measurement, a canal ratio, using the vertebral body diameter, has been formulated. If this method is to be used in the pediatric spine, the effect of the growing neuraxis must be considered. Lateral cervical spine radiographs of 301 normal children and adults were evaluated and grouped according to age. The canal ratio measurement demonstrated a consistent decrease through to the adult groups. Adjacent groups showed statistically significant decreases with age in all groups tested other than the oldest two groups. With the pediatric spinal canal vulnerable to various intracanalicular influences, the canal ratio may reflect early disease processes.
