Diagnostic value on signs of subluxation of cervical vertebrae with radiological examination.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between radiographic signs of subluxation in the cervical vertebrae and their clinical diagnostic value.


METHODS
Controlled, clinical study.


METHODS
Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Biomechanics and NanFang Hospital of the First Military Medical University, Guangzhou, China.


METHODS
Eighty-seven subjects with cervicodynia and 21 asymptomatic volunteers.


METHODS
Radiological signs of subluxation from anteroposterior, lateral, open-mouth and dynamic radiographs of the cervical vertebrae of the subjects were measured and analyzed.


METHODS
The right and left odontoid lateral mass interspace, divergence of the spinous processes, sign of double contour and position of odontoid process were studied.


RESULTS
The bilateral odontoid lateral mass interspaces were asymmetrical in most cases, and the divergence of spinous processes, sign of double contour and position of odontoid process were also common. Cervical vertebrae C5, C4 and C6 showed no special variations.


CONCLUSIONS
There was little evidence to support the contention that signs of subluxation in the cervical vertebrae are of diagnostic significance. Subluxation should be defined in two ways: as a purely roentgenological diagnosis and as a combination of roentgenological signs with clinical signs.
Li
Y K
YK
Institute of Clinical Anatomy and Medical Biomechanics, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China. fjnet.guangzhou.gd.cn
Zhang
Y K
YK
Zhong
S Z
SZ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012984:Software