Radiographic anatomy features of teenagers’ upper-middle thoracic vertebrae

Zhang Zhi-feng; Shi Jun; Wei Jing; Wang Xing; Zheng Lei-gang; Huo Hong-jun; Li Zhi-jun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.09.013

Abstract：BACKGROUND:The conditions of teenager and adult skeletons have great differences. Thus, it is dangerous to place screw on teenagers using the methods for adults. <br> OBJECTIVE:To observe the anatomical features of teenagers’ upper-middle thoracic vertebra images, and to provide experimental basis for pedicle nailing and pedicle-rib head unit nailing in teenagers’ upper-middle thoracic vertebrae. <br> METHODS:We chose 30 teenagers (13 to 18 years old) without spine lesions, and then they were scanned (0.625-1.25 mm) from T 1 to T 12 segments using CT. The original data were loaded into a three dimensional software in DICOM format for measuring related indicators. At last, we analyzed the data according to different segments. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The trend between the width of pedicle and pedicle-head unit was similar, showing a“V”shape. The minimum of width was located in the T 4 , and there were significant differences between the corresponding vertebral bodies (P<0.05). The trend between pedicle nail road length and pedicle-rib head unit nail road length was similar, and the trend between them was gradual y increasing. The minimum of length was located in T 1 , and the maximum of length was located at T 10 , and there were significant differences between the corresponding vertebral bodies (P<0.05). The trend between the pedicle transverse angle and pedicle rib-head unit transverse angle was similar. The trend from T1 to T10 was on a decline, and there were significant differences in corresponding vertebrae (P<0.05). The trend of curves between pedicle sagittal angle and pedicle rib-head unit sagittal angle was similar, showing a wavy shape, and there were significant differences in corresponding vertebrae (P<0.05). These results confirmed that the same segmental pedicle rib-head unit can provide a safer nailing place than the pedicle relatively.