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European Spine Journal
Published in: European Spine Journal 7/2013

01-07-2013 | Original Article

Sagittal geometry of the middle and lower cervical endplates

Authors: Hong Chen, Jian Zhong, Jixiang Tan, Dandong Wu, Dianming Jiang

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 7/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

Construct subsidence is a relatively common complication following anterior cervical fusion. Its occurrence has been revealed to be closely related to endplate-implant contact interface. But current literature focusing on the anatomy of cervical endplate is very scarce. The purpose of this morphometric study was to analyse the sagittal geometry, especially the concavity and slope, of vertebral endplates from C3 to C7 by employing data from CT scans.

Methods

Reformatted CT scans of 97 individuals were analyzed and endplate concavity depth, endplate concavity apex location, as well as endplate slope were measured in midsagittal plane. Those specific parameters were compared among different age and gender groups. Meanwhile, comparison between superior and inferior endplate of each vertebra was also performed.

Results

Age and gender did not influence endplate concavity depth, endplate concavity apex location, or endplate slope significantly (P > 0.05). Endplate concavity depths of superior endplates (range 0.9–1.2 mm) were significantly smaller than those of inferior endplates (range 2.1–2.7 mm). Endplate concavity apex was always located in the posterior half of the endplate, with the superior one ranged from 56 to 67 % and the inferior one 52 to 57 %. Average endplate slopes of superior endplates were between 4.5° and 9.0°, and average inferior endplate slopes ranged from 4.5° to 7.5°. Among all measured segments, C5 had the largest endplate slope values, while C7 the least.

Conclusions

Superior endplate is more flat than its inferior counterpart in middle and lower cervical spine, and the concavity apex is always located in the posterior half of the endplate. Endplate slope is correlated with cervical curvature, greater slope implying more significant lordosis. These sagittal endplate geometrical parameters should be taken into consideration when investigating implant subsidence following anterior cervical fusion.
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Metadata
Title
Sagittal geometry of the middle and lower cervical endplates
Authors
Hong Chen
Jian Zhong
Jixiang Tan
Dandong Wu
Dianming Jiang
Publication date
01-07-2013
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Spine Journal / Issue 7/2013
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-2791-8

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