The Frequency and Diversities of Dimensional Variants in the Foramen Transversarium of the Cervical Vertebrae. Anatomical and Radiological study
Ahmed H. Bayoumi1, Wael Maher Mohamed2, Samy A. Abusikkien3, Tarek Ibrahim Abd El-Galil1 1Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
2Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Newgiza University (NGU), Cairo, Egypt
3 Anatomy department, Rabigh faculty of medicine, king Abdulaziz University KSA, Anatomy department, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
Background: Discrepancy in number as well as size of foramen transversarium (FT) of cervical vertebrae affects anatomical route of vertebral vessels, which may lead to neurological disorders. These variations are crucial for radiologists for proper radiological interpretations and orthopedic surgeons during posterior approaches of cervical spines. Aim of work: To study frequency and diversities of dimensional discrepancies of cervical vertebrae’s FT in both dry bones and computed tomography (CT) images. Material and methods: The differences in number as well as size of FT in 70 dry bones were studied among ten skeletons. CT imaging was conducted on the cervical vertebrae of 100 patients with measuring the dimensions of FT. The studied patients were divided into three age groups; Group A: 18- 39 years (30 patients), Group B: 40- 59 years (30 patients), Group C: more than 59 years (40 patients). Results: The mean of the left anteroposterior (AP) and transverse (T) diameters were found to be significantly higher than the right side. Doubled FT was the common finding (8.0%) in the CT measurements, followed by unilateral incomplete FT (1.9%), unilateral incomplete accessory FT (1.7%), and bilateral incomplete accessory FT (1.1%). The AP diameters of the FT were significantly higher in males than females within groups II and III. Conclusion: To minimize any postoperative difficulties, it is important to notice the changes in the FT of the cervical vertebrae before planning any procedures in the region of the cervical vertebrae.
June 2020