Abstract: Objective    To study the clinical value of cervical osteophytes in posterior margin of intervertebral space by imaging measurement.    Methods    88 patients with cervical spondylosis, among which of 36 males and 52 females, were selected from September 2016 to December 2017. X-ray of cervical spine was taken, the system imaging of PACS was consulted before operation. The posterior edge osteophytes of cervical spine were divided into upper and lower parts (Aupper, Alower, Bupper, Blower) based on the tangent line of upper and lower endplate of the vertebral body respectively (Line a, Line b). The area of osteophytes of each part were measured by Auto CAD 2014 software. The ratio of the area of osteophytes of upper and lower parts and the total area of osteophytes of the same side (Aall, Ball) were calculated (Mean±SD).    Results    The posterior margin osteophytes were classified into four types. Type I accounted for 61.36% of the measured data, type II 5.68% type III 10.22%, and type IV 22.72%. Posterior marginal osteophytes of cervical intervertebral space were mainly located in C5/6, accounting for 43.18% of all segments. There was no statistical significance in gender of different segments. The percentage of osteophytes above the line-a of the lower edge of the upper vertebral body was 32.94%. The ratio of the area of Aupper osteophytes to the total area of Aall osteophytes was (41.18±15.45) %. The percentage of osteophytes below the line-b of the upper edge of the lower vertebral body was 28.40%. The ratio of Blower osteophyte area to total Ball osteophyte area was (54.69±22.49) %.    Conclusions     By analyzing the imaging types of osteophytes in posterior margin of cervical vertebra before operation, planning the treatment of osteophytes in posterior margin during operation, decompression-fusion of discectomy can obtain better effect in reducing pressure of spinal cord.

Key words: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy, 　Endplate, 　Osteophyte, 　Imaging measurement