Study DesignCross-sectional, matched-pair comparative study.PurposeTo determine whether a thin-sliced pedicular-oriented computed tomography (TPCT) scan reconstructed from an existing conventional computed tomography (CCT) scan is more accurate for identifying vertebral artery groove (VAG) anomalies than CCT.Overview of LiteraturePosterior atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation and C2 pedicle screws can cause vertebral artery (VA) injury. Two anatomic variations of VAG anomalies are associated with VA injury: a high-riding VA (HRVA) and a narrow pedicle of the C2 vertebra. CCT scan is a reliable method used to evaluate VAG anomalies; however, its accuracy level remains debatable. Literature comparing the prevalence of C2 VAG anomalies between CCT and TPCT is limited.MethodsA total of 200 computed tomography scans of the upper cervical spine obtained between January 2008 and December 2011 were evaluated for C2 VAG anomalies (HRVA and narrow pedicular width) using CCT and TPCT. The prevalence of C2 VAG anomalies was compared using these two different measurement methods via a McNemar's test.ResultsOf the 200 patients studied, 23 HRVA (6.01%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.61%–8.39%) were detected with CCT, whereas 66 HRVA (16.54%; 95% CI, 12.85%–20.23%) were detected with TPCT (p<0.001). Sixty-two narrow pedicles (15.58%; 95% CI, 11.99%–19.15%) were detected with CCT, whereas 90 narrow pedicles (22.83%; 95% CI, 18.58%–26.87%) were detected with TPCT (p<0.001).ConclusionsVAG anomalies are commonly observed. A preoperative evaluation using TPCT reconstructed from an existing CCT revealed a significantly higher prevalence of C2 VAG anomalies than did CCT and showed comparable prevalence to previously published studies using more sophisticated and higher risk techniques. Therefore, we propose TPCT as an alternative preoperative evaluation for C2 screw placement and trajectory planning.

The adjusted incidence rate of hip fracture in Thailand has increased more than 31% from 1997 to 2006. Mortality and morbidity after hip fracture are also high. One year mortality after a hip fracture has increased from 18% in 1999 to 21% in 2007. The Thai Osteoporosis Foundation (TOPF) developed the first Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) in 2002 and keeps updating the CPG since then. This latest version of the CPG is our attempt to provide comprehensive positional statement on the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in Thailand. The study group who revised this position statement contains experts from the TOPF, Four Royal Colleges of Thailand, includes the Orthopaedic Surgeons, Gynecologists and Obstetricians, Physiatrists, Radiologists and 2 Associations of Endocrinologists and Rheumatologists which have involved in the management of patients with osteoporosis.

BackgroundCervical pedicle screw (CPS) insertion is a technically demanding procedure. The quantitative understanding of cervical pedicle morphology, especially the narrowest part of cervical pedicle or isthmus, would minimize the risk of catastrophic damage to surrounding neurovascular structures and improve surgical outcome. The aim of this study was to investigate morphology and quantify cortical thickness of the cervical isthmus by using Multi-detector Computerized Tomography (MD-CT) scan.MethodsThe cervical CT scans were performed in 74 patients (37 males and 37 females) with 1-mm slice thickness and then retro-reconstructed into sagittal and coronal planes to measure various cervical parameters as follows: outer pedicle width (OPW), inner pedicle width (IPW), outer pedicle height (OPH), inner pedicle height (IPH), pedicle cortical thickness, pedicle sagittal angle (PSA), and pedicle transverse angle (PTA).ResultsTotal numbers of 740 pedicles were measured in this present study. The mean OPW and IPW significantly increased from C3 to C7 while the mean OPH and IPH of those showed non-significant difference between any measured levels. The medial-lateral cortical thickness was significantly smaller than the superior-inferior one. PTA in the upper cervical spine was significantly wider than the lower ones. The PSA changed from upward inclination at upper cervical spine to the downward inclination at lower cervical spine.ConclusionsThis study has demonstrated that cervical vertebra has relatively small and narrow inner pedicle canal with thick outer pedicle cortex and also shows a variable in pedicle width and inconsistent transverse angle. To enhance the safety of CPS insertion, the entry point and trajectories should be determined individually by using preoperative MD-CT scan and the inner pedicle width should be a key parameter to determine the screw dimensions.