Computerized Tomography-Based Morphometric Analysis of Cervical Spinal Canal in Central Indian Population

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Imaging
• Anatomy and Morphology
• Spinal Surgery

Background:

• Normal cervical spine canal morphometry is essential for diagnosing spinal pathologies and preoperative planning.
• Computed tomography (CT) offers superior accuracy for morphometric measurements compared to conventional radiography.
• Understanding regional variations in cervical spinal canal dimensions is crucial for diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the normal morphometric dimensions of the cervical spinal canal in the central Indian population.
• To establish reference values for sagittal canal diameter (SCD), transverse canal diameter (TCD), and canal surface area (CSA) from C2 to C7.
• To assess the utility of CT scans in obtaining precise cervical spine measurements.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 100 asymptomatic adult subjects undergoing cervical spine CT scans.
• Measurement of anteroposterior sagittal canal diameter (SCD), transverse canal diameter (TCD), canal surface area (CSA), and Pavlov-Torg Ratio (PTR) from C2 to C7.
• Statistical analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics 2.0, with p-value < 0.05 considered significant.

Main Results:

• Mean age of participants was 39.5 years (range 18-77).
• Significant differences in SCD, TCD, and CSA were observed between males and females only at the C2 level, with males having larger dimensions.
• Maximum mean dimensions were recorded at C2, and minimum at C4; Pavlov-Torg Ratio showed minimal variation.

Conclusions:

• Established normal values for cervical spinal canal dimensions in the central Indian population can serve as a future reference.
• CT imaging provides accurate morphometric measurements of the cervical spine.
• Further research is recommended to investigate potential regional variations in cervical spinal canal dimensions across India.