The dimensions of the cervical spinal canal (C3 – C7) of the South African black population were measured on skeletal remains of 179 individuals (90 males and 89 females divided into age categories of 30-45; 46-60 and 61-75 years), and compared to measurements taken from CT-scans of 55 individuals divided into the same categories. There was no significant difference between measurements taken on skeletal material and CT-scans. The spinal canal is larger in males (mean = 13.96mm) than in females (mean = 13.84mm) and the Pavlov ratio is larger for females (mean = 0.89) than males (mean = 0.81). The Pavlov ratio seems to overestimate the occurrence of spinal stenosis in this population group, as almost all individuals older than 46 years are classified as stenotic according to this ratio. The shape of the cervical spinal canal was determined morphometrically by processing digital images taken of vertebrae (C3 – C7) of 60 individuals with the tps-Series of software programs and was found to be significantly different between males and females. In males the canal is congenitally triangular, whereas in females the canal assumes a more “safe”, rounded shape. The low Pavlov ratio for this population group, especially in males, can possibly be explained by these shape differences. Even slight degenerative changes affecting the spinal canal, such as osteophytosis or ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), will alter the triangular-shaped male canal in such a way that the spinal cord may become compromised. Cervical vertebrae of 107 individuals were inspected for occurrence of osteophytes within the spinal canal and the incidence of OPLL. Osteophyte occurrence within the cervical spinal canal is the same for males and females and OPLL occurs frequently within this population group, especially in the cephalic region (incidence: C3 = 64.5%; C4 = 47.7%; C5 = 21%; C6 = 12.2%; C7 = 7.5%). / Dissertation (MSc (Anatomy))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Anatomy / unrestricted

Thesis (MAppSc in Physiotherapy)--University of South Australia, 1995

A mielopatia espondilótica cervical (MEC) é afecção relacionada diretamente com o estreitamento do canal vertebral cervical. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar variações morfométricas da coluna vertebral cervical em pacientes portadores de MEC por meio da ressonância magnética dinâmica nas posições neutra, em flexão e em extensão. Este é um estudo prospectivo de pacientes portadores de MEC secundária à doença degenerativa da coluna vertebral cervical. Os parâmetros morfométricos foram avaliados pelas sequências de ressonância magnética ponderadas em T2, no plano sagital em posições neutra, flexão e extensão. Os parâmetros estudados foram o comprimento anterior da medula espinhal (CAME), o comprimento posterior da medula espinhal (CPME), o diâmetro do canal vertebral (DCV) e o diâmetro da medula espinhal (DME). O CAME e o CPME foram mais longo em flexão do que nas posições em neutro e extensão, sendo encontrada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre a posição em flexão e extensão. O DCV e o DME foram maiores em flexão do que nas posições neutra e em extensão, no entanto não foi encontrada diferença estatisticamente significativa quando comparados nas posições em neutro, flexão e extensão. Desta forma, o exame de ressonância magnética dinâmica permite avaliar as variações morfométricas do canal vertebral cervical em pacientes portadores de mielopatia cervical espondilótica. / Cervical spondylotic myelopathy is a condition directly related to the narrowing of the cervical vertebral canal. The objective of this study was to evaluate morphometric variations of the cervical spine in patients with CSM using dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in neutral, flexion and extension positions. This is a prospective study of patients with CSM secondary to degenerative disease of the cervical spine. The morphometric parameters were evaluated using T2-weighted MRI sequences in the sagittal plane with neutral, flexion and extension position of the neck. The parameters studied were the anterior length of the spinal cord (ALSC), the posterior length of the spinal cord (PLSC), the diameter of the vertebral canal (DVC) and the diameter of the spinal cord (DSC). The ALSC and PLSC were longer in flexion than extension and neutral position, with statistically significant difference between the flexion and extension position. The DVC and the DSC were greater in flexion than in extension and neutral position, however there was no statistically significant difference when comparing the positions in neutral, flexion and extension. Therefore, dynamic MRI allowed to evaluate morphometric variations in the cervical spinal canal in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Thesis (MSc.(Anatomy)--Faculty of Health Sciences)-University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

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