Assessment of age-related variation in cervical neuroforaminal dimensions

Abstract

Radiographic parameters for diagnosing cervical neuroforaminal stenosis (CNFS) are not well described. To develop definitive criteria for diagnosis of CNFS, a standardized baseline of average neuroforaminal dimensions must first be established. Thus, the aim of this study was to: (1) use computed tomography (CT) of patients without neck pain or spinal pathology to establish mean cervical neuroforaminal dimensions (CNFD) across multiple age groups and (2) assess differences in CNFD by age. Cervical CT scans of 1,457 asymptomatic patients were reviewed to measure CNFD, defined as follows: axial width, craniocaudal height, and area. Patients were divided into four groups based on age: 18–35, 36–50, 51–64, and 65 + years. Statistical analyses were used to assess differences in CNFD according to age group. Mean overall CNFD for the 18–35 year-old cohort were 6.43 mm for width, 9.28 mm for height, and 58.85 mm² for area. For the 36–50 year-old cohort, dimensions were 5.89 mm for width, 8.63 mm for height, and 52.78 mm² for area. For the 51–64 year-old cohort, dimensions were 5.29 mm for width, 8.52 mm for height, and 48.93 mm² for area. Finally, the 65 + year-old cohort had dimensions of 5.09 mm for width, 8.16 mm for height, and 45.91 mm² for area. Significant differences in CNFD were observed between age groups, with dimensions decreasing in size from the younger to older age groups. In the studied population, CNFD decreased progressively with age. The results of our study may have utility in the diagnosis of CNFS.