title: Influence of skeletal class in the morphology of cervical vertebrae: A study using cone beam computed tomography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the prevalence of cervical vertebrae anomalies and to analyze any association between them and skeletal malocclusions or head posture positions in the same study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred forty patients who were attending the Department of Orthodontics of the University of Valencia for orthodontic treatment were selected and divided into three groups: skeletal Class I (control group, 0° <ANB < 4°), Class II (ANB ≥ 4°), and Class III (ANB ≤ 0°) according to ANB Steiner angle. The morphology of the first five cervical vertebrae was analyzed with cone beam computed tomography to identify any anomalies. Intra- and interobserver error methods were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dehiscence and fusion of one unit (both 23.3%) and partial cleft (11.7%) were the most frequent anomalies, while occipitalization was the least common (3.3%). Dehiscence anomaly was observed when the control group was compared with Classes II and III and partial cleft anomaly when Class I was compared with Class III. Furthermore, NSBa and ss-N-sm/ANB angles were associated with partial cleft anomaly, while NSL/NL angle and extended head posture were associated with fusion anomaly.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fusion, dehiscence, and partial cleft were the most frequent cervical vertebrae anomalies. Dehiscence and partial cleft were found to present statistically significant differences between Class I and Classes II and III. Cervical vertebrae anomalies and head posture were associated with fusion.
authors: Luela
authors: L
authors: Aranitasi
authors: Beatriz
authors: B
authors: Tarazona
authors: Natalia
authors: N
authors: Zamora
authors: Jose Luis
authors: JL
authors: Gandía
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Paredes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D059925:Anatomic Landmarks / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008311:Malocclusion, Angle Class I; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008437:Maxilla / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009970:Orthodontics; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
keywords: CBCT; Cervical vertebrae anomaly; Head posture; Skeletal class