RESUMO
Objective The approachability of the cervicothoracic region anteriorly based on age and gender, and the possibility of anatomic variances in different geographic populations have not been previously investigated. The aim of the present work was to perform a radiographic analysis of Brazilian patients to assess anterior approachability of the cervicothoracic junction based on age and gender. Methods Retrospective radiographic analysis of 300 computed tomography scans. Patients were separated based on age and gender. The radiographic parameters studied were: horizontal level above the sternum (HLS), vertebral body angle (VBA), intervertebral disc line (IDL), and intervertebral disc line angulation (IDLA). Results The most frequent HLS and IDL were T2 (34.3%) and C7-T1 (46%) respectively. Vertebral body angleand IDLA had average values of 18 ± 8.94 and 19 ± 7.9 degrees, respectively. Males had higher values in both IDLA ( p = 0.003) and VBA ( p = 0.02). Older groups had higher values in both IDLA ( p = 0.01) and VBA ( p = 0.001). No differences were observed in HLS between gender ( p = 0.3) or age groups ( p = 0.79). No differences were seen in IDL between gender groups ( p = 0.3); however, the older group had a more caudal level than the younger groups ( p = 0.12). Conclusions Compared to other populations, our sample had a more cephalad IDL and HLS. Vertebral body angle and IDLA were higher in males and higher angles for VBA and IDLA were shown for older groups. Intervertebral disc line was more caudal with aging.
RESUMO
Abstract Objective The approachability of the cervicothoracic region anteriorly based on age and gender, and the possibility of anatomic variances in different geographic populations have not been previously investigated. The aim of the present work was to perform a radiographic analysis of Brazilian patients to assess anterior approachability of the cervicothoracic junction based on age and gender. Methods Retrospective radiographic analysis of 300 computed tomography scans. Patients were separated based on age and gender. The radiographic parameters studied were: horizontal level above the sternum (HLS), vertebral body angle (VBA), intervertebral disc line (IDL), and intervertebral disc line angulation (IDLA). Results The most frequent HLS and IDL were T2 (34.3%) and C7-T1 (46%) respectively. Vertebral body angleand IDLA had average values of 18 ± 8.94 and 19 ± 7.9 degrees, respectively. Males had higher values in both IDLA (p= 0.003) and VBA (p= 0.02). Older groups had higher values in both IDLA (p= 0.01) and VBA (p= 0.001). No differences were observed in HLS between gender (p= 0.3) or age groups (p= 0.79). No differences were seen in IDL between gender groups (p= 0.3); however, the older group had a more caudal level than the younger groups (p= 0.12). ConclusionsCompared to other populations, our sample had a more cephalad IDL and HLS. Vertebral body angle and IDLA were higher in males and higher angles for VBA and IDLA were shown for older groups. Intervertebral disc line was more caudal with aging.
Resumo Objetivo A capacidade de acesso anterior à região cervicotorácica com base na idade e gênero do paciente e a possibilidade de variações anatômicas em diferentes populações geográficas ainda não foram investigadas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma análise radiográfica de pacientes brasileiros para avaliar a acessibilidade anterior da junção cervicotorácica conforme idade e gênero. Métodos Análise radiográfica retrospectiva de 300 tomografias computadorizadas. Os pacientes foram separados por idade e gênero. Os parâmetros radiográficos estudados foram: nível horizontal acima do esterno (HLS, na sigla em inglês), angulação do corpo vertebral (VBA, na sigla em inglês), linha do disco intervertebral (IDL, na sigla em inglês) e angulação da linha do disco intervertebral (IDLA, na sigla em inglês). Resultados Os HLS e IDL mais frequentes foram T2 (34,3%) e C7-T1 (46%), respectivamente. Os valores médios de VBA e IDLA foram de 18 ± 8,94 e 19 ± 7,9 graus, respectivamente. Os homens apresentaram valores maiores de IDLA (p= 0,003) e VBA (p= 0,02). Os grupos de maior idade apresentaram valores maiores de IDLA (p= 0,01) e VBA (p= 0,001). Não houve diferenças de HLS entre os gêneros masculino e feminino (p= 0,3) ou faixas etárias (p= 0,79). Não foram observadas diferenças na IDL entre os gêneros masculino e feminino (p= 0,3); entretanto, o grupo mais velho apresentou nível mais caudal do que os grupos mais jovens (p= 0,12). ConclusõesEm comparação a outras populações, nossa amostra apresentou IDL e HLS mais cefálicos. AVBA e a IDLA foram maiores no gênero masculino, enquanto VBA e IDLA foram maiores em grupos mais velhos. A IDL era mais caudal em pacientes idosos.
