Standards of Facet Coverage in Children on Lateral Cervical Radiographs
The purpose of this radiographic study was "to attempt to develop standards of facet coverage (overlap) on lateral cervical radiographs during voluntary flexion." Since previous studies on such normative standards have been confined to adults, this study aimed at producing standards for children.
The subjects were 36 children with minor trauma, from whom lateral flexion-extension radiographs were obtained.
Results derived from linear regression analysis showed that only the C7-T1 ratio varied with age.
The means and standard deviations for the ratio at each level, C2-C7, calculated in this study may prove useful in evaluating children with possible ligamentous injuries. Such data have not been available before and could be of great practical value in clinical situations involving children.
Kuhns LR, Strouse PJ. Facet coverage in children on flexion lateral cervical radiographs.
Spine, Feb. 15, 1999;24(4), pp339-41.