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CT imaging techniques for describing motions of the cervicothoracic junction and cervical spine during flexion, extension, and cervical traction.
Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2006 Jan 01; 31(1):44-50.S

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN

Computerized tomographic study of human cadavers undergoing traction and flexion-extension bending.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the feasibility of using computerized tomography techniques to quantify relative vertebral motions of the cervical spine and cervicothoracic junction (CTJ), and to define normative CTJ kinematics.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Despite developing an understanding of the mechanical behavior of the cervical spine, little remains known about the cervicothoracic junction. The CTJ is more difficult to image than other cervical regions given the anatomic features of the surrounding bones obstructing CTJ visualization. As such, limited data have been reported describing the responses of the CTJ for motions and loading in the sagittal plane, confounding the clinical assessment of its injuries and surgical treatments used at this region.

METHODS

Helical CT images of the cervical spine and CTJ were acquired incrementally during each of flexion, extension, and cervical traction. Vertebral surfaces were reconstructed using the specialized image analysis software, 3DVIEWNIX. A mathematical description of relative vertebral motions was derived by computing rigid transformations. Euler angles and translations were calculated. Regional spine stiffness was defined for traction.

RESULTS

The CTJ was found to be much stiffer (779 N/mm) than the cervical spine (317 N/mm) in tension. In flexion-extension bending, the CTJ was similar to the lower cervical spine. The CTJ demonstrated significantly less coupled motion than the cervical spine.

CONCLUSIONS

The CTJ, as a transition region between the cervical and thoracic spines, has unique kinematic characteristics. This application of kinematic CT methods is useful for quantifying unreported normative ranges of motion for the CTJ, difficult by other conventional radiologic means.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Simon S
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA.
Davis M
No affiliation info available
Odhner D
No affiliation info available
Udupa J
No affiliation info available
Winkelstein B
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AgedBiomechanical PhenomenaCervical VertebraeHumansMaleMiddle AgedMovementRange of Motion, ArticularThoracic VertebraeTomography, X-Ray ComputedTraction

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

16395175

Citation

Simon, Scott, et al. "CT Imaging Techniques for Describing Motions of the Cervicothoracic Junction and Cervical Spine During Flexion, Extension, and Cervical Traction." Spine, vol. 31, no. 1, 2006, pp. 44-50.
Simon S, Davis M, Odhner D, et al. CT imaging techniques for describing motions of the cervicothoracic junction and cervical spine during flexion, extension, and cervical traction. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2006;31(1):44-50.
Simon, S., Davis, M., Odhner, D., Udupa, J., & Winkelstein, B. (2006). CT imaging techniques for describing motions of the cervicothoracic junction and cervical spine during flexion, extension, and cervical traction. Spine, 31(1), 44-50.
Simon S, et al. CT Imaging Techniques for Describing Motions of the Cervicothoracic Junction and Cervical Spine During Flexion, Extension, and Cervical Traction. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2006 Jan 1;31(1):44-50. PubMed PMID: 16395175.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - CT imaging techniques for describing motions of the cervicothoracic junction and cervical spine during flexion, extension, and cervical traction. AU - Simon,Scott, AU - Davis,Martin, AU - Odhner,Dewey, AU - Udupa,Jayaram, AU - Winkelstein,Beth, PY - 2006/1/6/pubmed PY - 2006/4/7/medline PY - 2006/1/6/entrez SP - 44 EP - 50 JF - Spine JO - Spine (Phila Pa 1976) VL - 31 IS - 1 N2 - STUDY DESIGN: Computerized tomographic study of human cadavers undergoing traction and flexion-extension bending. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of using computerized tomography techniques to quantify relative vertebral motions of the cervical spine and cervicothoracic junction (CTJ), and to define normative CTJ kinematics. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Despite developing an understanding of the mechanical behavior of the cervical spine, little remains known about the cervicothoracic junction. The CTJ is more difficult to image than other cervical regions given the anatomic features of the surrounding bones obstructing CTJ visualization. As such, limited data have been reported describing the responses of the CTJ for motions and loading in the sagittal plane, confounding the clinical assessment of its injuries and surgical treatments used at this region. METHODS: Helical CT images of the cervical spine and CTJ were acquired incrementally during each of flexion, extension, and cervical traction. Vertebral surfaces were reconstructed using the specialized image analysis software, 3DVIEWNIX. A mathematical description of relative vertebral motions was derived by computing rigid transformations. Euler angles and translations were calculated. Regional spine stiffness was defined for traction. RESULTS: The CTJ was found to be much stiffer (779 N/mm) than the cervical spine (317 N/mm) in tension. In flexion-extension bending, the CTJ was similar to the lower cervical spine. The CTJ demonstrated significantly less coupled motion than the cervical spine. CONCLUSIONS: The CTJ, as a transition region between the cervical and thoracic spines, has unique kinematic characteristics. This application of kinematic CT methods is useful for quantifying unreported normative ranges of motion for the CTJ, difficult by other conventional radiologic means. SN - 1528-1159 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/16395175/CT_imaging_techniques_for_describing_motions_of_the_cervicothoracic_junction_and_cervical_spine_during_flexion_extension_and_cervical_traction_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -