Tomodensitometric bone anatomy of the intervertebral foramen of the lower cervical spine: measurements and comparison of foraminal volume in healthy individuals and patients suffering from cervicobrachial neuralgia due to foraminal stenosis

Abstract

Degenerative foraminal stenosis of the cervical spine can lead to cervicobrachial neuralgias. Computed tomography (CT)-scan assists in the diagnosis and evaluation of foraminal stenosis. The main objective of this study is to determine the bony dimensions of the cervical intervertebral foramen and to identify which foraminal measurements are most affected by degenerative disorders of the cervical spine. These data could be applied to the surgical treatment of this pathology, helping surgeons to focus on speci c areas during decompression procedures. MethodsA descriptive study was conducted between two groups: an asymptomatic one (young people with no evidence of degenerative cervical spine disorders) and a symptomatic one (experiencing cervicobrachial neuralgia due to degenerative foraminal stenosis). Using CT scans, we determined a method allowing measurements of the following foraminal dimensions: foraminal height (FH), foraminal length (FL), foraminal width in its lateral part ((UWPP, MWPP and IWPP (respectively Upper, Medial and Inferior Width of Pedicle Part)) and medial part (UWMP, MWMP and IWMP (respectively Upper, Medial and Inferior Width

Effects of indirect foraminal decompression during anterior cervical disc fusion procedure: a prospective study with clinical and radiological outcomes

“…Pre-operative radiological measurements were consistent with the values expected, with disc height, foraminal height and foraminal volume being lower than the ones of asymptomatic patients [9]. Furthermore, foraminal volume was found to be greater in level C6-C7 than in superior levels, being also consistent with the reported literature [9].…”

“…Pre-operative radiological measurements were consistent with the values expected, with disc height, foraminal height and foraminal volume being lower than the ones of asymptomatic patients [9]. Furthermore, foraminal volume was found to be greater in level C6-C7 than in superior levels, being also consistent with the reported literature [9]. A signi cant increase in disc height (p < 0,001), foraminal height (p < 0,001) and foraminal volume (p < 0,001) was showed post operatively, with an increase of every parameters measured at every level that were fused.…”

“…What's more, NDI score achieve a high degree of internal consistency and reliability [26]. The strengths and limitations of our method of volume calculations are given in a previous published study [9].…”

“…Since its rst descriptions by Robinson and Cloward in the middle of the last century [9,22], Anterior Cervical Disc Fusion (ACDF) has become a common and safe procedure for the treatment of degenerative cervical pathologies. It is now often considered as the surgical goal standard for the treatment of cervicobrachial neuralgia caused by osteophytes arising from the degenerative cervical spine and leading in foraminal stenosis and compression of nerve roots.…”

Effects of indirect foraminal decompression during anterior cervical disc fusion procedure: a prospective study with clinical and radiological outcomes

“…Pre-operative radiological measurements were consistent with the values expected, with disc height, foraminal height and foraminal volume being lower than the ones of asymptomatic patients [23]. Furthermore, foraminal volume was found to be greater in level C6-C7 than in superior levels, being also consistent with the reported literature [23]. A signi cant increase in disc height (p < 0,001), foraminal height (p < 0,001) and foraminal volume (p < 0,001) was showed post operatively, with an increase of every parameters measured at every level that were fused.…”