Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2016, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (6): 615-618.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2016.06.004

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Positioning surface observation of C7 spinous process and clinical significance

ZHANG Lei 1,2,  ZHOU Xin1, QI Ji2, ZHANG Shao-qun2, WANG Guo-you1, FU Shi-jie1,  LI Yi-kai2   

  1. 1. Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Sichuan Province, Luzhou 646000; 2. Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510515
  • Received:2016-07-05 Online:2016-11-25 Published:2016-12-20
  • Contact: FU Shi-jie, E-mail: 307501597@qq.com

Abstract:

Objective The aim of this study is to study the accuracy of C7 spinous process on palpation positioning of healthy adults, and to explore the causes and clinical significance. Method 500 healthy adult volunteers (354 males and 146 females) were enrolled into this study. Three orthopedic physicians used palpation to locate the surface mark of the C7 spinous process with an aluminum sheet, and then the surface palpation positioning accuracy of the C7 spinous process was observed by cervical lateral X-ray. Meanwhile, the length of C6, C7 and T1 was measured by X-ray and CT 3D reconstruction, and the results were analyzed.    Result   98.8% (494) of the subjects’ C7 could be accurately positioned through surface palpation, but surface palpation of 1.2% (six subjects were male) subjects was positioned in C6. In X-ray, the length of C6 spinous process was (2.97±0.11)cm, the length of C7 spinous process was (3.16±0.16)cm, the length of T1 spinous process was(3.20±0.15)cm; in CT 3D reconstruction, the length of C6 spinous process was (2.98±0.12)cm, the length of C7 spinous process was (3.18±0.17)cm, the length of T1 spinous process was (3.50±0.16)cm. In X-ray and CT 3D reconstruction, there was statistically significant difference (P< 0.01) in three vertebral spinous process length, but there wasn’t statistically significant difference (P> 0.05) in the length of C6, C7, T1 spinous process as measured by the two kinds of imaging examination.   Conclusion    The surface palpation positioning method of C7 spinous process was affected by many factors, so there may be some errors. X-ray, CT and other auxiliary methods can be used to ensure the accuracy and safety of clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Key words:  Cervical spine; C7,  Positioning surface