#Normal cervical spine x rays series#

Extension of malignant and benign lesions into the epidural space from the perivertebral space is common 1. One study found the following upper limit of normal values 8:Ī mass arising from the prevertebral portion is centered on the vertebral body or prevertebral muscles, which causes anterior displacement of the muscles as opposed to a mass arising from the retropharyngeal space which would cause flattening of the prevertebral muscles posteriorly against the vertebral body 1.Ī mass arising from the paraspinal portion displaces the paraspinal musculature and posterior cervical space fat away from the spine.

#Normal cervical spine x rays series#

Similarly normal values for CT vary, but according to one of the larger series in adults values the thickness of the prevertebral soft tissues are 6:Ĭ4/C5: variable due to variable height for cricoid/esophagusĭue to the presence of adenoidal tissue superiorly in children, as well as the smaller size values are different, and more variable. Values above these resulted in a true positive rate of 53% and false positive rate of 5% 7. For example in one study of plain radiographs yielded the following measurements 7: It is merely a question of what sensitivity and specificity you are willing to accept. As such it is not possible to give a definitive cut off that leads to perfect separation of patients with and those without injury.

Naturally there is a near-normal distribution of thickness in normal patients depending on body build and expected variation. In general, the prevertebral component is measured on sagittal imaging as the distance between the anterior border of the vertebral body and the air within the pharynx/trachea. Inferior: the perivertebral space is usually defined from the skull base to superior mediastinum but can be extended to the level of the coccyx Lateral: surrounded by posterior cervical space Posterior: fascia attaches to spinous process and ligamentum nuchae Intermediate layer of intrinsic back muscles: erector spinae groupĭeep layer of intrinsic back muscles: transversospinalis groupĪnterior: danger space and retropharyngeal space Superficial layer of intrinsic back muscles

The deep cervical fascia sends a deep slip to the transverse process which subdivides the space into: The perivertebral space is a cylinder of soft tissue lying posterior to the retropharyngeal space and danger space surrounded by the prevertebral layer of the deep cervical fascia and extends from the skull base to the upper mediastinum.