Since the anatomical location of acupoints was recorded in The latest Practice of Western Acupuncture in 1915, and Lecture Notes on Advanced Acupuncture in 1931, the Japanese acupuncture works of Chinese translation version, the location of Dazhui (GV 14) (under the spinous process of the 7th cervical vertebra) and Yaoyangguan (GV 3) (under the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra) had rarely been questioned for nearly a century. In order to confirm the above statement, the writers have reviewed ancient literature, combined with the modern anatomical knowledge and searched the evidences from the core arguments of the acupuncture Mingtang chart and the bronze acupuncture statue. It is believed that Dazhui （GV 14） should be positioned under the spinous process of the 1st thoracic vertebra, and Yaoyangguan（GV 3） be under the spinous process of the 5th lumbar vertebra. Accordingly, all of the other acupoints of these meridians should be moved down by 1 vertebra, i.e. those on the governor vessel from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoyangguan (GV 3), those on the 1st lateral line of the bladder meridian of foot-taiyang from Dazhu (BL 11) to Baihuanshu (BL 30) and those on the 2nd lateral line of the bladder meridian from Fufen (BL 41) to Zhibian (BL 54).
Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Meridians ; Acupuncture Points ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Thoracic Vertebrae

Anterior exposure to the upper two thoracic vertebrae is technically difficult with transcervical approach. The authors used a transstermal biclavicular approach to the T1 metastatic adenocarcinome in a 47 year old patient. The advantages of this approach are that : 1) it levels the insertion of the sternocleidomastoid muscles intact and prevents the complication of respiratory problem, 2) it gives most wide surgical field among the other similar approaches, and 3) this procedure is not transpleural but transmediastinal approach.
Humans ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Spine* ; Thoracic Vertebrae

OBJECTIVE: In the thoracic spine, insertion of a pedicle screw is annoying due to small pedicle size and wide morphological variation between different levels of the spine and between individuals. The aim of our study was to analyze radiologic parameters of the pedicle morphometry from T1 to T8 using computed tomographic myelography (CTM) in Korean population. METHODS: For evaluation of the thoracic pedicle morphometry, the authors prospectively analyzed a consecutive series of 26 patients with stable thoracic spines. With the consent of patients, thoracic CTM were performed, from T1 to T8. We calculated the transverse outer diameters and the transverse angles of the pedicle, distance from the cord to the inner cortical wall of the pedicle, and distance from the cord to the dura. RESULTS: Transverse outer pedicle diameter was widest at T1 (7.66 +/- 2.14 mm) and narrowest at T4 (4.38 +/- 1.55 mm). Transverse pedicle angle was widest at T1 (30.2 +/- 12.0degrees) and it became less than 9.0degrees below T6 level. Theoretical safety zone of the medial perforation of the pedicle screw, namely, distance from the cord to inner cortical wall of the pedicle was more than 4.5 mm. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, we suggest that the current pedicle screw system is not always suitable for Korean patients. Computed tomography is required before performing a transpedicular screw fixation at the thoracic levels.
Humans ; Myelography ; Prospective Studies ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae

PURPOSE: Little is known with respect to changes in the segmental thoracic and thoracolumbar kyphosis, which are major parameters influencing sagittal balance of the spine. The authors investigated the detailed segmental changes of those parameters by ageing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 326 normal asymptomatic males were divided into 2 groups; group 1 (mean age, 21.2+/-1.7; n=175) and group 2 (mean age, 64.1+/-6.4; n=151). After taking a standing sagittal radiograph, the sagittal spinal and pelvic parameters were measured. Thoracic and thoracolumbar kyphosis were classified according to segments A, C7 UEP (upper end vertebra)-T5 UEP; B, T5 UEP-T10 UEP; C, T10 UEP-T12 LEP (lower end vertebra); and D, (T12 LEP-L2 LEP), and analyzed between 2 groups, respectively. RESULTS: Thoracic kyphosis (21.1degrees+/-7.7degrees vs. 30.0degrees+/-8.8degrees, p<0.001), segment B (15.8degrees+/-6.1degrees vs. 18.1degrees+/-7.9degrees, p=0.003), and segment C (5.3degrees+/-5.1degrees vs. 11.8degrees+/-6.5degrees, p<0.001) were increased in group 2. In group 2 segment A showed decreased kyphosis (12.1degrees+/-6.4degrees vs. 9.8degrees+/-6.4degrees, p=0.001). In segment D no significant difference was observed between groups. CONCLUSION: Increased thoracic kyphosis was observed in the middle and lower thoracic regions. The authors provided important references of sagittal parameters to determine the expected ranges of kyphosis for a normal asymptomatic male of a given age.
Humans ; Kyphosis* ; Male ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae

Focal vertebral bone density changes were assessed in vertebral computed tomography (CT) images obtained from clinically healthy dogs without diseases that affect bone density. The number, location, and density of lesions were determined. A total of 429 vertebral CT images from 20 dogs were reviewed, and 99 focal vertebral changes were identified in 14 dogs. Focal vertebral bone density changes were mainly found in thoracic vertebrae (29.6%) as hyperattenuating (86.9%) lesions. All focal vertebral changes were observed at the vertebral body, except for a single hyperattenuating change in one thoracic transverse process. Among the hyperattenuating changes, multifocal changes (53.5%) were more common than single changes (46.5%). Most of the hypoattenuating changes were single (92.3%). Eight dogs, 40% of the 20 dogs in the study and 61.6% of the 13 dogs showing focal vertebral changes in the thoracic vertebra, had hyperattenuating changes at the 7th or 8th thoracic vertebra. Our results indicate that focal changes in vertebral bone density are commonly identified on vertebral CT images in healthy dogs, and these changes should be taken into consideration on interpretation of CT images.
Animals ; Bone Density ; Dogs ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae

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.
Incidence ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

OBJECTIVE: To establish normative data for spinal canal AP diameter from cervical vertebra to sacrum in the Korean young and to assess the exposed spinal canal after laminectomy which was related with restenosis by post-laminectomy membrane formation. METHODS: From PET/CT, axial bone-window CT of 83 young adults (20-29 years) were obtained, and we measured AP diameters of C3, C5, C7, T1, T4, T8, T12, L1, L3, L5 and S1. We also measured exposed AP diameter of C3, C5, C7, T1 and T2 above imaginary line for laminectomy. RESULTS: The shortest mean AP diameter was at C5 (14.5+/-1.5 mm), and the longest was at S1 (17.4+/-2.3 mm). AP diameter increased from C3 (14.6+/-1.1 mm) to T1 (16.1+/-1.2 mm) at cervical spine. In the thoracic spine, the diameter gradually decreased from T1 (16.1+/-1.2 mm) to T8 (14.6+/-1.3 mm) and increased to T12 (16.7+/-1.2 mm). The diameter decreased from L1 (16.7+/-1.3 mm) to L3 (15.7+/-1.9 mm), and it increased to S1 (17.4+/-2.3 mm) at lumbar spine. Exposed AP diameter above imaginary line for laminectomy was the longest at C3 (4.8+/-1.2 mm) and gradually decreased to T1 (3.3+/-0.9 mm) and T2 (0 mm). CONCLUSIONS: Spinal AP diameter was the shortest in the mid-cervical area (C5) and increased to the upper thoracic area. From the upper thoracic vertebra, the diameter gradually decreased to the mid-thoracic vertebra (T8) and then increased to the lower thoracic vertebra. Lumbar vertebra also was similar with thoracic vertebra. Below T2, there was no exposed dural sac after laminectomy. This means that restenosis by post-laminectomy membrane formation can occur above T1.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Membranes ; Sacrum ; Spinal Canal ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; Young Adult

Few morphometric data on the thickness and the inclination of vertebral lamina are found with its frequent involvement in many surgical procedures. The thickness in the middle of right vertebral lamina and the angle between the superior border of lamina and sagittal plane were measured in 90 dried vertebral columns. 1. The laminae of the cervical vertebrae were generally thin and they became gradually thicker down to the lumbar vertebrae. The lamina of the fifth lumbar vertebra was the thickest (9.4mm) and that of the fifth cervical was the thinnest (2.9mm). The thickest lamina appeared in second cervical, twelfth thoracic and fourth lumbar vertebrae in 71%, 44% and 36%, respectively. 2. The angles between superior border of long axes of the laminae and the sagittal plane were the widest in thoracic vertebrae, and narrower in lumbar, the narrowest in cervical vertebrae. The angle of eithth thoracic was the widest (59.8°) and that of the fifth lumbar was the narrowest (48.6°). Widest angle of lamina appeared in seventh cervical, sixth thoracic and fifh lumbar vertebra in 27%, 20% and 48%, respectively. 3. No significant differences were found in the thicknesses and the angles of inclination of vertebral laminae between males and females.
Adult* ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae

Primary spinal epidural cavernous hemangioma has been rarely reported in the literature. The authors report a case of spinal epidural cavernous hemangioma on C7-T3 in a 46-year-old man suffered from sensoirmotor impairment and gait disturbance. Based on the imaging characteristics and review of literatures, the roles of preoperative neuroradiological diagnosis and the need for complete surgical resection are discussed.
Diagnosis ; Gait ; Hemangioma, Cavernous* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neuroimaging ; Thoracic Vertebrae*

STUDY DESIGN: Analysis of morphometric data obtained from direct measurements of 100 cadaveric thoracic spines in Indian population. PURPOSE: To collect a base line morphometric data and analyze it in reference to the musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanics of the spine; implants and instrumentations; and to suggest the requisite modification in spinal surgery instrumentations. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Most of the previous studies in the world literature have focused primarily on the parameters of the pedicle and to the authors' knowledge; no study has been published from the Indian subcontinent reporting a detailed morphometry of the thoracic spine. METHODS: One thousand and two hundred thoracic vertebrae were studied by direct measurements for linear and angular dimensions of the vertebral body, spinal canal, pedicle, and spinous and transverse processes in 100 human cadavers. RESULTS: Thirty-five point five percent of all the pedicles; 71% of T5 pedicles; 54.6% of all the female pedicles; and 94.4% of the T5 pedicles in females were smaller than 5 mm in mid-pedicle width dimension. Transverse pedicle angle was more at all levels and pedicles were sagittaly angulated in cephalad direction in comparison to other studies. Minimum value of interpedicular distance was at T5 (15.48 +/- 1.24). Vertebral body width showed slight decrease from T1 to T4. The transverse process length was relatively constant between T2 to T10. The spinous process angle showed increasing trend from T1 to T6 and then gradually decreased to T12. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the trends in changes of the parameters from T1 to T12 can be explained on the basis of local musculoskeletal anatomy and biomechanical stresses. The smallest diameter screw and shortest available screw for adults may not be safe in majority of the Indian population in mid-thoracic region. The results of the present study can help in designing implants and instrumentations; understanding spine pathologies; and management of spinal disorders in this part of the world.
Adult ; Biomechanics ; Cadaver ; Female ; Humans ; Spinal Canal ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae