<p>Best cut-off point of the cervical facet joint area as a new morphological measurement tool to predict cervical foraminal stenosis</p>

Abstract

Purpose: One of the main factor of cervical foraminal stenosis (CFS) is the hypertrophic change of the cervical facet joint. In order to analyze the connection between CFS and the facet joint hypertrophy, we devised a new morphological parameter, called the cervical facet joint cross-sectional area (CFJA). The CFJA has not yet been investigated for its association with CFS. We hypothesized that the CFJA is an important morphologic parameter in the diagnosis of CFS. Patients and methods: All patients over 50 years of age were included. Data regarding the CFJA were collected from 160 subjects with CFS. A total of 162 control individuals underwent cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) as part of a routine medical examination. Axial T2-weighted CMRI images were acquired from all subjects. We used a picture archiving system to analyze the cross-sectional area of the bone margin of the cervical facet joint at the level of the most stenotic cervical spine in the axial plane. Results: The average CFJA was 109.07±20.91 mm 2 in the control group, and 126.75±22.59 mm 2 in the CFS group. The CFS group was found to have significantly higher levels of the CFJA ( p <0.001) than the control group. ROC curve estimation was used to verify the validity of the CFJA as a new predictor of CFS. In the CFS group, the best cut off-point was 113.14 mm 2 , with sensitivity =70.6%, specificity =68.6%, and AUC =0.72 (95% CI, 0.66–0.77). Conclusions: CFJA high values were closely associated with a possibility of CFS. We concluded CFJA is easy to use, fast, and useful new morphological parameter to predict CFS.

Quantitative Radiological Characteristics of the Facet Joints in Patients with Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis

“… 31 Similar results were observed for the cervical spine. 32 In this study, we found that the SAPA strongly correlated with FJ OA. It is considered that disc degeneration and an increase in segmental pressure can lead to osteosclerosis, osteophyte formation, and subchondral cysts, which can increase the cross-sectional area of the articular processes.…”

Is the Severity of Cervical Foraminal Stenosis Related to the Severity and Sidedness of Symptoms?

“…These findings suggest that all CFS grades may contribute to neck pain. However, the total count of CFS may have been a confounder of neck pain in this study because CFS is usually combined with cervical spinal pathology related to neck pain, such as disc degeneration and facet joint arthritis [ 28 ].…”

CT measures of osseous cervicothoracic intervertebral foramina are repeatable and associated with CT measures of adjacent articular processes in horses

“…[15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] In humans, APCSA measured using MRI was a good predictor of cervical IF stenosis which was easy to use and fast to measure. 25 CT measurement of IFCSA in sagittal plane have been proven useful for diagnosing and to help predicting the operability of people with lumbosacral IF stenosis. 17 In previous CT studies in horses, IF dimensions were assessed by measuring IF height or length 5,26 and AP dimensions were assessed by measuring their CSA, 5,11…”

“…In companion animals and humans, the assessment of IF narrowing relies mainly on cross‐sectional imaging (CT or MRI) and various measurements have been described to objectively assess the dimensions of the IF; this includes the height, width, cross‐sectional area (CSA), and volume of the IF 15–24 . In humans, APCSA measured using MRI was a good predictor of cervical IF stenosis which was easy to use and fast to measure 25 . CT measurement of IFCSA in sagittal plane have been proven useful for diagnosing and to help predicting the operability of people with lumbosacral IF stenosis 17 .…”