PMID: 9193696Jun 1, 1997Paper

Anatomic considerations of anterior instrumentation of the thoracic spine

The American Journal of Orthopedics
N A EbraheimR Yeasting

Abstract

Forty-seven dry thoracic specimens from T-3 to T-12 (470 thoracic vertebrae) were used to measure the dimensions of the vertebral body of the thoracic spine and to determine the relationship of the posterior angulation of screw placement to the spinal canal from different entrance points. Statistically significant differences in dimensions of male and female specimens were found in the anterior vertebral body height and all of the angular measurements. The average maximum posterior angle relative to the frontal plane from T-3 to T-12 for both sexes ranged from 11 degrees to 14 degrees at the initial point (the level of the most anterior edge of the upper costal facet), from 20 degrees to 23 degrees at the point of 5 mm anterior to the initial point, and from 30 degrees to 34 degrees at the point of 10 mm anterior to the initial point. This study suggests that there is considerable risk of violating the spinal canal if the screws are inadvertently angled posteriorly. The authors recommend insertion of screws in the anterior or middle part of the lateral aspect of the vertebral body. The screws should be directed perpendicular to the lateral plane of the vertebral body. A posteriorly placed screw should be directed anteriorly.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.