The association between cervical rib and sacralization.
METHODS
After determining the normal reference values for the length of the transverse processes of the seventh cervical vertebra, the association between the presence of cervical rib and sacralization was investigated.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the length of cervical rib and search for any association between cervical rib and sacralization.


BACKGROUND
Both cervical ribs and sacralization have been noted in some patients in the authors' clinical practice.


METHODS
The cervical rib is a supernumerary rib arising from a cervical vertebra, or it might be simply an elongation of the transverse process of the seventh cervical vertebra. However, there is no consensus about a specified length of this process. For reference values, anteroposterior cervical radiographs of 210 normal individuals (112 male, 98 female, mean age 33.9 +/- 10.1 years, range 19-61 years) were taken, and elongation of the transverse processes beyond 2 standard deviations (30 mm) was considered as cervical rib. In the guide of the reference values, 324 outpatients (165 male, 159 female, mean age 42.0 +/- 14.6 years, range 17-85 years), having cervical ribs or sacralization detected by plain radiographs, were taken as the study group. As control 729 volunteers (364 male, 365 female, mean age 41.7 +/- 14.3 years, range 15-76 years) were studied.


RESULTS
In 1053 patients, of 471 patients having cervical ribs, 345 (73.2%) had also sacralization; of 536 patients with sacralization, 345 (64.4%) also had cervical ribs. Significant associations were found between cervical rib with or without articulation and sacralization [chi2 = 52.284, P < 0.001, odds ratio 5.097 (3.156-8.234); chi2 = 139.473, P < 0.001, odds ratio 5.204 (3.922-6.905), respectively].


CONCLUSIONS
Presence of cervical rib might be a clue to the existence of sacralization or vice versa. In patients with cervical or lumbar pain, this association may be helpful for differential diagnosis before applying sophisticated diagnostic techniques.
Erken
Eren
E
Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology-Immunology, Cukurova University Medical School, Adana, Turkey. eerken@mail.cu.edu.tr
Ozer
Huseyin T E
HT
Gulek
Bozkurt
B
Durgun
Behice
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011859:Radiography; D012016:Reference Values; D012272:Ribs / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region; D012447:Sacrum / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging