Anatomy of the thoracic pedicle

Area of Science:

• Anatomy
• Orthopedics
• Spine Surgery

Background:

• Accurate thoracic pedicle anatomy is crucial for spinal surgery.
• Previous studies show variability in pedicle morphometrics.
• The relationship between thoracic pedicles and transverse processes is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To precisely measure thoracic pedicle anatomy in elderly cadavers.
• To investigate the rostral-caudal distance between the thoracic pedicle and transverse process.
• To compare findings with existing literature and assess landmark predictability.

Main Methods:

• Dissection of 11 elderly cadaveric spines.
• Precise measurements using calipers and goniometers.
• Comparison of morphometric data with previous CT, direct measurement, and 3D morphometry studies.

Main Results:

• Significant differences noted in transverse pedicle width and angles compared to prior studies.
• A novel finding: the rostral-caudal distance from the pedicle to the transverse process midpoint changes from rostral at T1 to caudal at T12.
• A crossover point for this relationship occurs consistently in the T6-T7 region.

Conclusions:

• Thoracic pedicle morphometrics show significant inter-study variability, possibly due to measurement techniques or population differences.
• The transverse process is an unreliable landmark for thoracic pedicle location in elderly individuals.
• This variability necessitates caution during thoracic pedicle screw placement and surgical planning.