Normal Values of Cervical Spinal Canal and Cord Dimensions Using MRI in Pakistani Population

Abstract

PURPOSE:To determine baseline reference ranges of the cervical cord as well as spinal canal in sagittal plane in relation to spinal vertebral level, age, gender, patient height and weight in Pakistani population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

RESULTS: We observed that there were variations for different genders, vertebral levels and patient built, while age was found to have an important but limited impact. We defined normal sagittal diameters, areas of spinal canal and spinal cord at C1, C3, and C6 levels for males and females. Also, we extracted the data by dividing our patients into three different subgroups as per their height. This created a range of the spinal canal dimensions at C1 (from 12.0 to 18.0 mm), C3 (from 10.0 to 16.0 mm), and C6 (from 11.0 to 17.0 mm) levels.

CONCLUSION:In conclusion, the anteroposterior diameter of the cervical spinal canal and the spinal cord in normal population are dependent on spinal level, gender, age groups and height. These reference ranges will enable radiologists and neurosurgeons to describe MR imaging data more accurately and to assess the severity of cervical spinal canal stenosis in Asian population.