Cervical cord size in metrizamide myelography

Lamont, A. C.; Zachary, James F.; Sheldon, P.W.E.

doi:10.1016/s0009-9260(81)80284-x

Cited by 17 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…These reported data were based on either radiology or postmortem examination of the healthy human spinal cord. When implementing a radiological approach for segmental measurements, the delimitation of the cord is vital in order to achieve accurate measurements (18). Lamont et al found it challenging to delimit the nerve root from the actual spinal cord, which prompted them to measure the whole width of both the cord and the root and to conduct the measurements at the mid-vertebral level only (18).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When implementing a radiological approach for segmental measurements, the delimitation of the cord is vital in order to achieve accurate measurements (18). Lamont et al found it challenging to delimit the nerve root from the actual spinal cord, which prompted them to measure the whole width of both the cord and the root and to conduct the measurements at the mid-vertebral level only (18). Single reference points imply error consistency throughout the spinal cord but are likely to reduce the quality of the estimate and aggravate the comparison between previously published data.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other elements which might influence the quality of radiological measurement are: window settings, concentration of contrast media like computed tomographic myelography (20, 25), and window level and pulse sequence for MRI (20, 26). Finally, cranial parts of the cervical spinal cord are especially difficult to measure using the radiological approach, as overlap with the base of the skull, incisor teeth, and maxilla greatly obstructs vision (18). …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Review of the Segmental Diameter of the Healthy Human Spinal Cord

et al. 2016

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Knowledge of the average size and variability of the human spinal cord can be of importance when treating pathological conditions in the spinal cord. Data on healthy human spinal cord morphometrics have been published for more than a century using different techniques of measurements, but unfortunately, comparison of results from different studies is difficult because of the different anatomical landmarks used as reference points along the craniocaudal axis for the measurements. The aim of this review was to compute population estimates of the transverse and anteroposterior diameter of the human spinal cord by comparing and combining previously published data on a normalized craniocaudal axis. We included 11 studies presenting measurements of spinal cord cross-sectional diameters, with a combined sample size ranging from 15 to 488 subjects, depending on spinal cord level. Based on five published studies presenting data on the lengths of the segments of the spinal cord and vertebral column, we calculated the relative positions of all spinal cord neuronal segments and vertebral bony segments and mapped measurements of spinal cord size to a normalized craniocaudal axis. This mapping resulted in better alignment between studies and allowed the calculation of weighted averages and standard deviations (SDs) along the spinal cord. These weighted averages were smoothed using a generalized additive model to yield continuous population estimates for transverse and anteroposterior diameter and associated SDs. The spinal cord had the largest transverse diameter at spinal cord neuronal segment C5 (13.3 ± 2.2), decreased to segment T8 (8.3 ± 2.1), and increased slightly again to 9.4 ± 1.5 at L3. The anteroposterior diameter showed less variation in size along the spinal cord at C5 (7.4 ± 1.6), T8 (6.3 ± 2.0), and L3 (7.5 ± 1.6). All estimates are presented in millimeters ± 2 SDs. We conclude that segmental transverse and anteroposterior diameters of the healthy human spinal cord from different published sources can be combined on a normalized craniocaudal axis and yield meaningful population estimates. These estimates could be useful in routine management of patients with neurodegenerative diseases as well as for clinical research and experimental applications aimed at surgical spinal cord repair.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%