Variations of transverse foramina in cervical vertebrae: what happens to the vertebral artery? 2018

Aristeidis Zibis, and Vasileios Mitrousias, and Nikolaos Galanakis, and Nikoletta Chalampalaki, and Dimitrios Arvanitis, and Apostolos Karantanas
Department of Anatomy, School of Health Sciences, University of Thessaly, 41110, Larissa, Greece.

The purpose of this study is to examine variations of the foramen transversarium and the vertebral artery in computed tomography angiographies (CTa) of the cervical spine, investigate their coexistence, and present possible considerations regarding such variations in spine surgical procedures. Fifty CTa of the neck were retrospectively reviewed. Transverse and anteroposterior diameter of the foramen and diameter of the vertebral artery were measured. Variations of the foramen and the vertebral artery were detected. Cervical CTa of 32 males and 18 females (mean age 66.4 ± 10.78 years), all belonging to the Indo-European race, were reviewed. Variations of the foramen transversarium were found in 17 vertebrae (4.85%) of 15 patients (30%). Duplication of the foramen was the most frequent variation, followed by the open foramen, the absence of the foramen, the triple foramen, and the hypoplastic foramen. Variations of the vertebral artery were found in 7 patients (14%) and asymmetry was found in 12 (24%) patients. Moreover, six patients presented with hypoplastic vertebral arteries (12%). When examining coexistence, 60% of patients exhibiting variations in the transverse foramen were also exhibiting variations or asymmetry in the vertebral artery, compared to 25.7% of patients with no foramen variations (p = 0.02). Vertebral artery injury is not common but may be a disastrous complication during cervical spine surgery. Proper preoperative planning is essential for any surgeon and exact knowledge of the anatomy in each patient is essential. This study strongly recommends the preoperative use of a CTa when suspicion of a variation is present and implied by a foramen variation. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D002574 Cervical Vertebrae The first seven VERTEBRAE of the SPINAL COLUMN, which correspond to the VERTEBRAE of the NECK. Cervical Spine,Cervical Spines,Spine, Cervical,Vertebrae, Cervical
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072226 Computed Tomography Angiography A non-invasive method that uses a CT scanner for capturing images of blood vessels and tissues. A CONTRAST MATERIAL is injected, which helps produce detailed images that aid in diagnosing VASCULAR DISEASES. Angiography, CT,Angiography, Computed Tomography,CT Angiography,Angiographies, CT,Angiographies, Computed Tomography,CT Angiographies,Computed Tomography Angiographies,Tomography Angiographies, Computed,Tomography Angiography, Computed
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective

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