Chinese Journal of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2021, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (4): 400-404.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2021.04.007

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Research on age-related  parameters of cervical spinal stenosis in asymptomatic adults 

Hu Liu1, Lv Yongman1, Lin Yang2   

  1. 1. Health Management Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China; 2. Department of Orthopedics, Tongji Hospital Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China
  • Received:2020-01-17 Online:2021-07-25 Published:2021-07-25

Abstract: Objective To explore the correlation between age-related changes and parameters of cervical spinal stenosis in asymptomatic adults on lateral cervical spine radiographs. Methods One hundred asymptomatic cervical spinal adults were divided into three groups according to the age at the initial examination: group 1 (20~39 years old), group 2 (40~59 years old) and the group 3 (over 60 years old). The standard cervical lateral X-ray was performed in 2011 and 2017 respectively. Parameters of cervical spinal stenosis were measured: sagittal diameter of spinal canal, middle sagittal diameter of vertebral body, sagittal diameter of degenerative vertebral body, cervical spinal canal ratio and effective cervical spinal canal ratio. The correlation between the cervical spinal canal ratio, effective cervical spinal canal ratio and age was analyzed. The differences between the results of two examinations of all parameters in each group were compared. Results There was a negative correlation between cervical spinal canal ratio, effective cervical spinal canal ration and age. The comparison of all parameters between two examinations: the sagittal diameter of spinal canal was statistically different only in C3 segment in group 3. There was statistical difference in the sagittal diameter of vertebral body in C5 segment of group 2 and C6 segment of group 3. There was statistical difference in the sagittal diameter of degenerative vertebral body in C5 segment in group 1, C3~C7 segment in group 2 and C4~C6 segment in group 3. There was statistical difference in the cervical spinal canal ratio of C5 segment in group 1, C3~C5 segment in group 2 and C3~C7 segment in group 3. There was statistical difference in the effective cervical spinal canal ratio of C5 segment in group 1, C3~C7 segment in group 2 and 3, meanwhile there was no significant difference in the rest. Conclusions Cervical spinal canal ratio and effective cervical spinal canal ratio in adults are related to age, and their changes are obvious with age in people over 60. Effective cervical spinal canal ratio is more sensitive to the progression of cervical spinal stenosis.

Key words: Cervical spinal stenosis,  X-ray,  Age,   Parameters,  

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