Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2011, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (5): 527-531.

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The changes of the intervertebral foramen following the degeneration of lower cervical spine intervertebral space evaluated by 3D laser scan and multiple planar dynamic measurement

YANG Rui, HUANG Lin, LI Wei-ping, TANG Yong, WANG Peng, SONG Bin, CHEN Ken, YIN De-zhen, SHEN Hui-yong   

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510120, China
  • Received:2011-03-10 Online:2011-09-25 Published:2011-09-29

Abstract:

Objective To observe the changes of the intervertebral foramen following the degeneration of lower cervical spine intervertebral space evaluated by 3D laser scan and multiple planar dynamic measurement (MPDM). Methods Six cadaver specimens of cervical spine were used in this study. Preoperative disc space height was measured radiographically, and regarded the mean disc space height of C4/5 and C6/7 as the baseline height of C5/6. The spatial information of C5/6 FSU on the state of baseline height was collected by 3-D laser scanner. Single C5 and C6 without soft tissue were scanned overall. C5/6 FSU was reconstructed in Geomagic Studio 8.0 by splicing the spot and cloud image to simulate six heights(10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% and 60%)degeneration of lower cervical spine . Intervertebral foramen volume, the middle area, internal and external aperture area were measured respectively on seven states above using MPDM. Results As space height losing, the intervertebral foramen volume and area decreased gradually. When space height lose 30% of baseline height, the middle area of the intervertebral foramen decreased significantly than baseline height state (P=0.003). Conclusions Using 3-D laser scanner, the highly dummy 3-D surface image of bone can be exhibited accurately. MPDM is objective, accurate and repeatable for evaluating intervertebral foramina. The middle area of intervertebral foramen decreased significantly compared to the baseline height state, especially at the lose of space height about 30% of baseline height, which is possible to induce corresponding clinical symptom.

Key words: 3D laser scan reconstruction, Multiple planar dynamic measurement, Lower cervical spine, Intervertebral foramina

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