Yonsei Med J.  2004 Jun;45(3):406-412. 10.3349/ymj.2004.45.3.406.

Radiological Considerations of Posterior Cervical Lateral Mass Fixation Using Plate and Screw

• Yoon SH
• Park HC
• Park HS
• Kim EY
• Ha Y
• Chong CK
• Kim SM
• Rim DC

• KMID: 1734121
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2004.45.3.406

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine whether the posterior cervical fusion methods with the plate-screw system applied to the lateral mass of cervical spine are radiologically safe to patients. The lateral cervical X-rays and CT scans were done on 40 normal adults without cervical problem. Based on Roy-Camille and Magerl's method, the theological trajectory of screw was shown on films and the parameters were measured. The study based on Roy-Camille's method showed less than one percent chance of injury on the facet joint and the mean depth of the screw to be 10.5+/-1.4mm. On the other hand, Magerl's method showed the mean depth of screw to be 11.9+/-1.5mm which is slightly larger than that of Roy-Camille's method and no chance of facet injury occurred. A reduced lateral angle of screw (19.6+/-3.5 degrees) performed with the concept based on Magerl's method resulted a longer depth of screw (13.5+/-2.1mm). Both Roy-Camille and Magerl's methods seemed to be radiologically safe to normal persons. However, the authors recommend the reduced lateral angle (19.6+/-3.5 degrees) of screw based on the Magerl's method more than an original Magerl's methods.

Keyword

Posterior cervical fusion; plate-screw system; lateral mass; facet joints; facet injury

MeSH Terms

Adult
Bone Plates
Bone Screws
Cervical Vertebrae/*radiography/*surgery
Female
Human
Male
*Spinal Fusion
Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods