J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  1998 Nov;5(2):314-319.

Diagnostic Value of the Measurement of the Pre-vertebral Soft Tissue in Patients with Cervical Spine Injury

• Chung SS
• Lee CS
• Kim H

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: We analysed the pre-vertebral soft tissue measurements in cervical spine trauma patients.
OBJECTIVES
We tried to determine the sensitivity and specificity of soft tissue measurements in patients with radiographically proven cervical spine fracture and to investigate the diagnostic value of the measurements. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Widening of the pre-vertebral soft tissue is a well recognized sign in injury of the cervical spine. But the diagnostic value of this widening is still controversial.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Width of the prevertebral soft tissue on lateral cervical spine radiographs was measured for 52 patients with a history of cervical spine trauma and for 53 patients complaining of cervical discomfort without a history of trauma. As a normal Korean adult standard, 7mm at C2 level, 8mm at C3 level, and 16mm at C6 level were considered the upper limit. Width of the prevertebral soft tissue was measured as a distance between antero-inferior margin of the body of cervical spine and the most posterior border of the larynx and trachea.
RESULTS
A C2 prevertebral soft tissue measurement of more than 7mm had a sensitivity of 35% and a specificity of 86%. A C3 measurement of more than 8mm had a sensitivity of 35% and a specificity of 72%. A C6 measurement of more than 16mm had a sensitivity of 30% and a specificity of 80%.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevertebral soft tissue measurement seems to be of limited diagnostic value. Further study may be required to determine more acceptable limits of normal cervical spine measurement in Korean population.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Humans
Larynx
Sensitivity and Specificity
Spine*
Trachea