Morphometry of the cervical vertebral pedicles as a guide for transpedicular screw fixation

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2007 Mar;47(3):102-7; discussion 107-8. doi: 10.2176/nmc.47.102.

Abstract

Anatomical measurements of the cervical pedicle in a large series of human cervical vertebrae from 48 individuals were obtained to reduce the incidence and severity of complications caused by transpedicular screw placement. The greatest pedicle length was at C-3 and the greatest pedicle width was at C-6. Pedicle width and lateral mass thickness gradually increased from C-3 to C-6. Pedicle height and interpedicular distance increased from C-3 to C-5, and decreased slightly at C-6. The lateral mass-pedicle length was greatest at C-4. The present study found right-left differences for the pedicle-spinous process distance at C-6 (p < 0.05). Pedicle width and height were smaller than those reported in earlier studies, especially at C-3 and C-4, whereas the increasing pedicle widths at C-5 and C-6 were appropriate for pedicle screw fixation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bone Screws
  • Cadaver
  • Cervical Vertebrae / anatomy & histology*
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Orthopedic Procedures