Age- and gender-related radiological changes of the cervical spine: A study with largest magnetic resonance imaging database of 5672 consecutive patients

GÜVERCİN A. R., ARSLAN E., HACIFAZLIOĞLU Ç., KANAT A., ACAR ARSLAN E., YAZAR U.

JOURNAL OF CRANIOVERTEBRAL JUNCTION AND SPINE, cilt.14, sa.1, ss.84-92, 2023 (ESCI) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 14 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2023
  • Doi Numarası: 10.4103/jcvjs.jcvjs_9_23
  • Dergi Adı: JOURNAL OF CRANIOVERTEBRAL JUNCTION AND SPINE
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.84-92
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Age, cervical spine, gender, radiology, ANTERIOR VERTEBRAL HEIGHT, BASE-LINE HYPERLORDOSIS, PEDICLE SCREW FIXATION, SURGICAL-TREATMENT, HYPERKYPHOSIS DIFFER, FRACTURED VERTEBRA, DEFORMITY PATIENTS, LIGAMENTUM-FLAVUM, RISK-FACTOR, RESTORATION
  • Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Background: The morphological features of the cervical spine are an essential issue. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the structural and radiological changes in the cervical spine. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 patients with neck pain but no apparent cervical pathology were selected from a database of 5672 consecutive patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRIs were directly examined for cervical disc degeneration. These include Pfirrmann grade (Pg/C), cervical lordosis angle (A/CL), Atlantodental distance (ADD), the thickness of transverse ligament (T/TL), and position of cerebellar tonsils (P/CT). The measurements were taken at the positions of T1- and T2-weighted sagittal and axial MRIs. To evaluate the results, patients were divided into seven age groups (10-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70, and over). Results: In terms of ADD (mm), T/TL (mm), and P/CT (mm), there was no significant difference among age groups (P > 0.05). However, in terms of A/CL (degree) values, a statistically significant difference was observed among age groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Intervertebral disc degeneration was more severe in males than in females as age increased. For both genders, cervical lordosis, decreased significantly as age increased. T/TL, ADD, and P/CT did not significantly differ with age. The present study indicates that structural and radiological changes are possible reasons for cervical pain at advanced ages.