Measurements in cervical vertebrae CT of pediatric cases: normal values.

PURPOSE: This study aims to determine the normal limits of atlanto-dental interval (ADI), basion-dens interval (BDI), basion-cartilaginous dens interval (BCDI), and prevertebral soft tissue thickness (PVSTT) according to age groups for normal pediatric cases.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT images of 256 pediatric patients aged between 1 and 15 years were retrospectively evaluated. ADI, BDI, BCDI and PVSTT measurements were performed.

RESULTS: Upper normal limit (UNL) values for ADI were 2.65-4.8 mm. UNL values for PVSTT were found to be 6.9 mm at C1 level, 6.7 mm at C2 level, 9.3 mm at C3 level, 14.2 mm at C4 level, 14.1 mm at C5 level, 13.8 mm at C6 level and 12.8 mm at C7 level. The maximum value of BDI in the group with non-ossified os terminale was 12 mm, and in the group with ossified os terminale it was 10 mm. The UNL of BCDI determined for females was 5.1 mm, while the UNL for males was 5.6 mm.

CONCLUSION: We propose the obtained values as the UNL values for ADI, BDI, BCDI and PVSTT on CT images in the pediatric population from 1 to 15 years.