Bumin DEĞİRMENCİ, Ömer YILMAZ

Variations of transverse foramens of cervical vertebrae: a 3-dimensional multidetector CT study

The objective of this study was to display the transverse foramens (TFs) of cervical vertebrae with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to identify their variations. Materials and methods: This study included 127 (63 women and 64 men) patients. The mean age was 46.4 years. MDCT images of cervical vertebrae were formed with volume rendering (VR) and multiplanar reconstruction. VR images were formed for each cervical vertebra between C1 and C7 and they were examined for the shape, diameter, and congenital variations of TFs. The TF diameters of each cervical vertebra were measured from MDCT images. Results: The widest TF diameters were measured at the C1 level and the narrowest at the C7 level. TF diameters were wider on the left side. The most frequent variation was the duplication of TF, which was noted in 117 (13.1%) cervical vertebrae in total. Hypoplasia of TF was seen in 93 (10.4%) cervical vertebrae. Diameter asymmetry of right and left TFs were other frequent variations. Conclusion: TF variations can be easily assessed in cervical MDCT examinations. Determination of foraminal variations before surgical interventions on cervical vertebrae could be an important guide for surgeons.

Anahtar Kelimeler:

Key words: Cervical vertebra, transverse foramen, multidetector CT, variation

Variations of transverse foramens of cervical vertebrae: a 3-dimensional multidetector CT study

Keywords:

Key words: Cervical vertebra, transverse foramen, multidetector CT, variation,

PDF

___

Williams PI, Warwick R, Dyson M, Bannister LH. Gray’s anatomy. 37th ed. Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone; 1989. p.316–9.
Erbil KM, Sargon MF, Celik HH, Basar R, Aksit D. A study of variations of TFs of cervical vertebras in human: accessory foramina in shape and number. Morphologie 2001; 85: 23–4.
Taitz C, Nathan H, Arensburg B. Anatomical observations of the foramina transversaria. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1978; 41:170–6.
Evangelopoulos D, Kontovazenitis P, Kouris S, Zlatidou X, Benneker L, Vlamis J et al. Computerized tomographic morphometric analysis of the cervical spine. Open Orthop J 2012; 6: 250–4.
Cagnie B, Barbaix E, Vinck E, D’Herde K, Cambier D. Extrinsic risk factor for compromised blood flow in the vertebral artery: anatomical observations of the transverse foramina from C3 to C Surg Radiol Anat 2005; 27: 312–6.
Duan S, Lv S, Ye F, Lin Q. Imaging anatomy and variation of vertebral artery and bone structure at craniocervical junction. Eur Spine J 2009; 18: 1102–8.
Akgun V, Battal B, Karaman B, Ors F, Bozlar U. A case of anomalous left coronary artery arising from the pulmonary artery in adulthood: multidetector computed tomography coronary angiography findings. Eurasian J Med 2010; 42: 100–2.
Durmaz T, Metin MR, Keleş T, Ayhan H, Bozkurt E. A case with type IV dual left anterior descending coronary artery detected by multidetector computed tomography. Turk J Med Sci 2012; 42: 173–6.
Durmaz T, Keleş T, Bayram NA, Metin MR, Ayhan H, Bozkurt E. Left main coronary calcification mimicking dissection: multislice computed tomography saves the patient from emergent surgery. Turk J Med Sci 2011; 41: 1111–3.
Duran C, Wake N, Rybicki FJ, Steigner M. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM): multidetector computed tomography findings. Eurasian J Med 2011; 43: 203–4.
Ocak İ, Lacomis JI, Deible CR, Türkbey B, Knollmann F. Prevalence of aortic root dilation in patients with CT angiography of the aorta. Diagn Interv Radiol 2011; 17: 272–6. Yıldırım A, Karabulut N, Doğan S, Herek D. Congenital thoracic arterial anomalies in adults: a CT overview. Diagn Interv Radiol 2011; 17: 352–62
Karaman B, Battal B, Bozkurt Y, Bozlar U, Demirkol S, Sahin MA et al. The anatomic evaluation of the internal mammary artery using multidetector CT angiography. Diagn Interv Radiol 2012; 18: 215–20.
Kayan M, Yavuz T, Etli M, Benzin Ş, İbişoğlu S, Üstün ED et al. Endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms with Endologix® stent graft: single-site experiences and short-term follow-up outcomes. Turk J Med Sci 2012; 42: 823–9.
Hazırolan T, Öz M, Türkbey B, Karaosmanoğlu AD, Oğuz BS, Canyiğit M. CT angiography of the renal arteries and veins: normal anatomy and variants. Diagn Interv Radiol 2011; 17: 67–
Eren S. Multidetector row computed tomography findings of pelvic congestion syndrome caused by dilated ovarian veins. Eurasian J Med 2010; 42: 128–31.
Turhan-Haktanir N, Ayçiçek A, Haktanir A, Demir Y. Variations of supraorbital foramina in living subjects evaluated with multidetector computed tomography. Head Neck 2008; 30: 1211–5.
Haktanir A, Ilgaz K, Turhan-Haktanir N. Evaluation of mental foramina in adult living crania with MDCT. Surg Radiol Anat 2010; 32: 35–6.
Koşar PN, Tufan ZK, Ergün E, Yiğit H, Koşar U, Demiröz AP. Chest radiography and computed tomography findings of cases with pandemic influenza A (H1N1/09) infection. Turk J Med Sci 2012; 42: 787–95.
Yamazaki M, Okawa A, Furuya T, Sakuma T, Takahashi H, Kato K et al. Anomalous vertebral arteries in the extra- and intraosseous regions of the craniovertebral junction visualized by 3-dimensional computed tomographic angiography: analysis of 100 consecutive surgical cases and review of the literature. Spine 2012; 37: 1389–97.
Oh K, Han H, Ko M. The internal mammary vessels above and below the first rib on multidetector CT: implications for anatomical feasibility of lung biopsy via anterior approach. Diagn Interv Radiol 2011; 17: 223–8
Hollinshead WH. Anatomy for Surgeons. Vol 3. The Back and Limbs. 3rd ed. Philadelphia: Harper and Row; 1982. p.120–2.
Kovacs A. Subluxation and deformation of the cervical apophyseal joints. A contribution to the etiology of headache. Acta Radiol 1955; 43: 1–16.