Morphometric Study of the Pedicle of Lumbar and Selected Thoracic Vertebrae for Surgical Spinal Fixation
10.4055/jkoa.1994.29.3.979
- Author:
Heui Jeon PARK
;
Jung Ho RAH
;
Sung Kwan HWANG
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Pedicles;
Morphometry;
CT scanning
- MeSH:
Incidence;
Thoracic Vertebrae;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
- From:The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
1994;29(3):979-987
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The pedicle instrumentation has become a popular way of spinal fixation. Placement of a screw through the pedicle into vertebral body appears to be a very successful way to accomplish spinal fixation. However, the configuration of the pedicle morphometry must be understood. The measurement includes pedicle width, angle of pedicle axis to the transverse plane, ideal screw length, ideal screw entry point and ideal angle. This study was accomplished using computerized axial tomogram(CT) of 704 vertebrae(T10-L5). The results were as follows. 1. Transverse pedicle diameter were narrowest at T10, widest at L5. 2. The pedicle axis is oriented anteromedially at all levels except T11 and T12, then increase from L1 to L5. 3. Screw lengths are fairly constant between all levels, thus the range of screw lengths need is limited. 4. The incidence of pedicle less than 6 mm in the transverse diameter is most common at T10 and followed by levels L1, T12 and L2. Preoperative determination of transpedicular screw diameter and length can be made, by direct measurement from the patient's CT scan.
