title: Computed tomography morphometric analysis for C-1 posterior arch crossing screw placement in the pediatric cervical spine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of the C-1 posterior arch crossing screw fixation technique in the pediatric age group.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred twenty-three pediatric patients were divided into 6 age groups. Computed tomography morphometric analysis of the C-1 posterior arch was performed. Measurements included height, width, and length. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test and linear regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean measurement of the posterior arch was height (6.35 ± 1.80 mm), width (Width 1: 4.48 ± 1.25 mm; Width 2: 4.42 ± 0.68 mm; Width 3: 4.42 ± 0.50 mm), and length (14.48 ± 1.67 mm). Seven (6.93%) of the 101 children in Groups 1-4 and 13 (59.1%) of the 22 children in Groups 5 and 6 could safely accommodate placement of C-1 posterior arch crossing screws.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This investigation found that a C-1 posterior arch crossing screw was feasible in this group of Chinese pediatric patients, particularly in those 13 years and older. Preoperative thin-cut CT is essential for identifying children in whom this technique is applicable and for planning screw placement.
authors: Zhejiang Spine Research Center, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
authors: Guang-Heng
authors: GH
authors: Xiang
authors: Chong
authors: C
authors: Wang
authors: Chao
authors: C
authors: Lou
authors: Ming-Qiao
authors: MQ
authors: Fang
authors: Nai-Feng
authors: NF
authors: Tian
authors: Hua-Zi
authors: HZ
authors: Xu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D044466:Asian People; D001863:Bone Screws; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: C-1 posterior arch; VA = vertebral artery; computed tomography; crossing screws; morphometric analysis; pediatric patients; spine