Quantification of Pediatric Cervical Spine Growth at the Cranio-Vertebral Junction.
10.3340/jkns.2015.57.4.276
- Author:
Ho Jin LEE
1
;
Jong Tae KIM
;
Myoung Hoon SHIN
;
Doo Yong CHOI
;
Jae Taek HONG
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea. kjtns@olmh.cuk.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Craniovertebral junction;
Computed tomography;
Childhood
- MeSH:
Atlanto-Axial Joint;
Cohort Studies;
Epidural Space;
Humans;
Odontoid Process;
Spinal Canal;
Spine*
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
2015;57(4):276-282
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate morphological change at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) region using computed tomography. METHODS: A total of 238 patients were included in this study, and mean age was 47.8+/-21.3 months. Spinal canal diameter, Power's ratio, McRae line, antero-posterior C1 ring height, atlantoaxial joint space, C2 growth, epidural space from the dens (M-PB-C2) and longitudinal distance (basion to C2 lower margin, B-C2) were measured. The mean value of each parameter was assessed for individual age groups. The cohorts were then divided into three larger age groups : infancy (I) (< or =2 years), very early (VE) childhood (2-5 years) and early (E) childhood (5> or = years). RESULTS: Spinal canal diameter increased with age; however, this value did not increase with statistical significance after VE age. A significant age-related difference was found for all C2 body and odontoid parameters (p<0.05). Mean McRae line was 8.5, 8, and 7.5 mm in the I, VE, and E groups, respectively. The M-PB-C2 line showed up-and-down dynamic change during early pediatric periods. CONCLUSION: Expansion of the spinal canal was restricted to the very early childhood period (less than 5 years) in the CVJ region; however, the C2 body and odontoid process increased continuously with age. The above results induced a dynamic change in the M-PB-C2 line. Although C2 longitudinal growth continued with age, the McRae line showed relatively little change.
