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Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research

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Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

Normal radiological anatomy of thyroid cartilage in 600 Chinese individuals: implications for anterior cervical spine surgery

Authors: Ying-zhao Yan, Chong-an Huang, Qi Jiang, Yi Yang, Jian Lin, Ke Wang, Xiao-bin Li, Hai-hua Zheng, Xiang-yang Wang

Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research | Issue 1/2018

Abstract

Background

Thyroid cartilage is an important barrier in anterior cervical approach surgery. The objective of this study is to establish normative values for thyroid cartilage at three planes and to determine their significance on preoperative positioning and intraoperative traction in surgery via the anterior cervical approach.

Methods

Neck CT scans were collected from 600 healthy adults who did not meet any of the exclusion criteria. Transverse diameters (D1, D2, and D3) of the superior border of the thyroid cartilage (SBTC), inferior border of the thyroid cartilage (IBTC), and the trachea transverse diameters of the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage (IBCC) were measured on a horizontal plane.

Results

All measured variables had intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) of ≥ 0.7. The differences in transverse diameters on the same plane between males and females were significantly different (all p < 0.001). The SBTC is most often at C4 in women (59.5%) and C4/5 in men (36.4%), the IBTC is most often at C5 in women (48.1%) and men (46.2%), and the IBCC is primarily located at C6 in women (45.2%) and C6 or C6/7 in men (34.4%) (all p < 0.001).

Conclusion

We present normative values for thyroid cartilage at three planes of SBTC, IBTC, and IBCC in Chinese individuals. The individual and gender differences in the location of the thyroid cartilage and the size of the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage provide an anatomical basis to localize the skin incision, to predict the difficulty of intraoperative exposure and retractor pulling, and to identify that the thyroid cartilage protected the pharyngoesophageal wall.

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Title: Normal radiological anatomy of thyroid cartilage in 600 Chinese individuals: implications for anterior cervical spine surgery
Authors: Ying-zhao Yan
Chong-an Huang
Qi Jiang
Yi Yang
Jian Lin
Ke Wang
Xiao-bin Li
Hai-hua Zheng
Xiang-yang Wang
Publication date: 01-12-2018
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1749-799X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-018-0728-y

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Normal radiological anatomy of thyroid cartilage in 600 Chinese individuals: implications for anterior cervical spine surgery

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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