MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF CERVICAL VERTEBRAL CANAL AND ITS CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN CERVICAL PAIN

Abstract

Introduction: Neck pain is the most common complaint in majority of population. Cervical canal stenosis is one the predisposing factor contributing to neck pain. It is the narrowing of cervical spinal canal within vertebral column thereby compressing spinal cord and its nerve roots. Torg’s ratio is sagittal spinal canal diameter divided by sagittal diameter of the corresponding vertebral body which if less than 0.80 can increase risk of neurologic injury.
Aims: To study cervical vertebral canal and its significance in patient of cervical pain through Torg’s ratio.
Methods: A retrospective study done in GDMC and Associated Hospital included 50 subjects40 females and 10 males aged between 18 to 70 years. MRI Cervical spine was used for measuring Torg’s ratio.
Result: All measurements were taken at the level of C6 and C7. The average sagittal vertebral column diameter at C6 in males is 15.2±2.58 and females 13.4±1.49, at C7 in males 16.1±1.74 and female 13.8±2.02 which is stastically significant. The average spinal canal at C6 in females is 11.62±1.65 and in males 11.11±1.50, at C7 in females 12.16±1.60 and in males 11.8±1.84. The Torg’s ratio was found to be at C6 0.56-1mm (males) and 0.55-1.16mm (females) and at C7 0.56-0.88mm (males) and 0.53-1.27mm (females).
Conclusion: In the present study, Sagittal spinal canal diameter was found to be more in females as compared to males). The Torg’s ratio was greater in females as compared to males.