Cervical spine changes in goitres.
The cervical spine was studied in neck radiographs of 160 unselected patients and in 100 controls. Anterior marginal osteophytes were observed in 37.5% of the goitre patients and in 17% of the controls. Straightening or reversal of cervical lordosis occurred in 29.4% of patients with goitre and only 8% of controls, with none of the control group showing reversal of cervical curvature. The changes are thought to be due to stresses imposed on the cervical spine as a result of a continuous reflex attempt to bend the neck forwards and reduce pressure on the trachea from the enlarged thyroid gland.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006042:Goiter / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology