Radiographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Identification of Thoracolumbar Spine Variants with Implications for the Positioning of the Conus Medullaris in Rhesus Macaques

The anatomy of the vertebral column in mammals may differ between species and between subjects of the same species, especially with regards to the composition of the thoracolumbar spine. We investigated, using several noninvasive imaging techniques, the thoracolumbar spine of a total of 44 adult rhesus macaques of both genders. Radiographic examination of the vertebral column showed a predominant spine phenotype with 12 rib‐bearing thoracic vertebrae and 7 lumbar vertebrae without ribs in 82% of subjects, whereas a subset of subjects demonstrated 13 rib‐bearing thoracic vertebrae and 6 lumbar vertebrae without ribs. Computer tomography studies of the thoraco‐lumbar spine in two cases with a pair of supernumerary ribs showed facet joints between the most caudal pair of ribs and the associated vertebra, supporting a thoracic phenotype. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were used to determine the relationship between the lumbosacral spinal cord and the vertebral column. The length of the conus medullaris portion of the spinal cord was 1.5 ± 0.3 vertebral units, and its rostral and caudal positions in the spinal canal were at 2.0 ± 0.3 and 3.6 ± 0.4 vertebral units below the thoracolumbar junction, respectively (n = 44). The presence of a set of supernumerary ribs did not affect the length or craniocaudal position of the conus medullaris, and subjects with13 rib‐bearing vertebrae may from a functional or spine surgical perspective be considered as exhibiting12 thoracic vertebrae and an L1 vertebra with ribs. Anat Rec, 300:300–308, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Bioactive glass as bone-graft substitute for posterior spinal fusion in rabbit

Bioactive glass S53P4 and autogenous bone were studied as bone graft materials for spinal fusion in a rabbit model. Sixteen rabbits underwent surgery by a dorsal approach. A bioactive glass, a combination of bioactive glass and autogenous bone (70/30 vol%), and autogenous bone were implanted at two thoracolumbar vertebraes for 4 and 12 weeks. The volume, consolidation to vertebrae, and fusion of the graft material were evaluated with plain-film radiology, computed tomography (CT) and bone-mineral density measurements, and compared with histomorphometrical measurements. Radiological consolidation by CT of bone graft to underlying vertebrae at 12 weeks was observable in all groups. This was histologically confirmed as bone was growing from the vertebrae into the graft material. Radiologic fusion of vertebraes was, at 12 weeks, observable in all groups in 50--75% of the cases. The radiologic fusion seen at the CT scans could, however, not be confirmed by histology in any of the three groups. Significant differences for graft material and observation period with the use of bone-mineral density measurements (Hounsfield units) were also observable, with the highest measured values for the bioactive glass group and the lowest for the autogenous bone group. The results indicate that bioactive glass have potential as bone-graft material in spinal fusion. The reliability of radiologic evaluation methods in spinal surgery using bone substitutes is also questioned and discussed.     

Knowledge-based segmentation of thoracic computed tomography images for assessment of split lung function

The assessment of differential left and right lung function is important for patients under consideration for lung resection procedures such as single lung transplantation. We developed an automated, knowledge-based segmentation algorithm for purposes of deriving functional information from dynamic computed tomography (CT) image data. Median lung attenuation (HU) and area measurements were automatically calculated for each lung from thoracic CT images acquired during a forced expiratory maneuver as indicators of the amount and rate of airflow. The accuracy of these derived measures from fully automated segmentation was validated against those from segmentation using manual editing by an expert observer. A total of 1313 axial images were analyzed from 49 patients. The images were segmented using our knowledge-based system that identifies the chest wall, mediastinum, trachea, large airways and lung parenchyma on CT images. The key components of the system are an anatomical model, an inference engine and image processing routines, and segmentation involves matching objects extracted from the image to anatomical objects described in the model. The segmentation results from all images were inspected by the expert observer. Manual editing was required to correct 183 (13.94%) of the images, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the knowledge-based segmentation were greater than 98.55% in classifying pixels as lung or nonlung. There was no significant difference between median lung attenuation or area values from automated and edited segmentations (p > 0.70). Using the knowledge-based segmentation method we can automatically derive indirect quantitative measures of single lung function that cannot be obtained using conventional pulmonary function tests.     

AF内固定联合植骨治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折

目的 探讨AF内固定系统联合椎体椎间植骨治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折的临床效果。方法使用AF内固定系统联合植骨治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折35例。结果 术后伤椎高度和cobb角均有满意的恢复，神经功能除2例Frankel A级无恢复外均有不同程度提高，平均随访2年，无严重并发症，椎体高度丢失不明显。结论 AF椎弓根内固定系统是治疗胸腰椎爆裂骨折较为理想的方法。椎体椎间植骨不仅能复位骨折，重建椎体高度，而且能提供脊柱即时和晚期稳定性，减少内固定并发症，尤其适合老年骨质疏松性胸腰椎骨折患者。     

成人正常胸、腰椎体双源双能CT虚拟去钙骨髓成像量化标准值研究

目的 探讨成人正常胸、腰椎体双源双能CT虚拟去钙(VNCa)骨髓成像的量化标准值。方法 对2016年8—11月山东大学齐鲁医院200名正常体检者进行前瞻性胸、腰椎双源双能量CT扫描,按年龄、性别分为<45岁的男性和女性组以及≥45岁的男性和女性组,4组各50人。在虚拟去钙技术下,测量获得T₃~L₅各椎体的骨髓CT值,再根据测得的各椎体的骨髓CT值的相近程度分成T₃~T₅、T₆~T₉、T₁₀~L₁、L₂~L₅ 4部分并取均值,采用独立样本t检验探讨上述测量参数在不同年龄分组及性别分组之间的差异。结果 ＜45岁组胸、腰椎的骨髓CT值分别为(-29.00±10.62)HU、(-35.81±12.36)HU,均高于≥45岁组的(-41.67±17.16)HU、(-44.81±14.35)HU,差异均有统计学意义(t=-6.326、-4.746,P值均<0.01)。<45岁女性组胸、腰椎的骨髓CT值分别为(-27.76±9.55)HU、(-37.56±9.05)HU,均分别高于≥45岁女性组的(-37.80±15.97)HU、(-45.45±14.04)HU,差异均有统计学意义(t=3.818、3.339,P值均＜0.01);<45岁男性组胸、腰椎的骨髓CT值分别为(-30.73±12.16)HU、(-33.91±14.64)HU,均分别高于≥45岁男性组的(-46.07±17.42)HU、(-44.68±14.84)HU,差异均有统计学意义(t=5.105、3.653,P值均＜0.05);<45岁组的男、女性的胸椎骨髓CT值比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),但≥45岁组的男、女性的胸椎骨髓CT值比较差异有统计学意义(t=2.474,P＜0.05);<45岁组和≥45岁组的男、女性间腰椎的骨髓CT值比较,差异均无统计学意义(P值均＞0.05)。观察对象胸、腰椎体的骨髓CT值均与年龄呈负相关(r=-0.463、-0.402,P值均＜0.01)。对于T₃~T₅、T₆~T₉、T₁₀~L₁、L₂~L₅ 4段椎体平均骨髓CT值而言,<45岁组的各段骨髓CT值均高于≥45岁组的骨髓CT值(P值均＜0.01);不同性别间比较,仅≥45岁组的T₆~T₉、T₁₀~L₁椎体节段骨髓CT值比较差异有统计学意义(t=3.177、-2.326,P值均＜0.05)。本组检测者CT辐射剂量容积CT剂量指数和剂量长度乘积分别为4.53～18.79(8.73±2.98)mGy和117.34～1678.42(421.53±230.85)mGy·cm,有效辐射剂量为(6.35±3.43) mSv。结论 正常人胸、腰椎双源双能VNCa骨髓成像的量化CT值较为稳定,可为椎体疾病的诊断提供客观的量化标准值,且其辐射剂量值并未增加甚至降低。     

前路一期病灶清除植骨内固定治疗胸腰椎结核

目的探讨前路一期病灶清除植骨内固定治疗胸腰椎结核的临床疗效。方法 2005年1月～2010年1月采用前路一期病灶清除植骨内固定治疗34例胸腰椎结核患者,术前四联抗结核化疗4～6周,术中病灶清除取髂骨或多根肋骨植骨,钉棒或钉板内固定。术后卧床8～12周,继续正规化疗12～18月。结果本组病例获得16～30个月随访,内固定无松动、脱落,后凸畸形矫正满意,局部病灶无复发,腰背疼痛症状消失。结论对于胸腰椎结核患者行前路一期病灶清除植骨内固定可彻底地清除病灶,重建脊柱稳定性,矫正和预防脊柱后凸畸形疗效满意。     

骨质疏松症患者脊柱胸腰段椎体力学稳定性变化与椎体压缩性骨折风险预测的有限元分析

目的:通过有限元分析骨质疏松症（OP）患者的脊柱胸腰段椎体在不同运动状态下椎体力学稳定性变化,与人体正常模型进行对比分析,针对椎体是否存在压缩性骨折的风险进行预测,为干预性策略标准化建立和完善提供理论和生物力学依据。方法:选择没有脊柱胸腰段椎体伤病史的健康志愿者男女各1人;选择2例住院老年OP女性患者胸腰椎CT及MRI扫描资料。建立T11~L2骨质疏松性椎体的三维有限元模型并验证有效性。在正常生理载荷分析不同运动状态下的生物力学变化,对两组模型之间椎体、关节突关节、终板、纤维环、松质骨、椎间盘、髓核的Von Mises应力及椎体最大位移进行比对分析,同时对应力云图进行比对,分析其生理与病理关节应力变化。结果:正常人体与OP患者脊柱椎体的材料属性、弹性模量、刚度、强度以及所处的力学生物学环境变化进行分析结果表明,OP患者在脊柱前屈、后伸、左右侧弯、左右旋转、轴向7种不同运动状态下与正常人体脊柱胸腰段相比较,椎体、关节突关节、椎间盘、终板、纤维环、髓核的Von Mises应力有明显降低趋势,椎体最大位移呈现增大趋势。此外本研究对OP模型的建立并非采用文献中降低正常皮质骨、松质骨、终板弹性模量的模型,而是采用临床中根据CT数据、临床症状、骨密度等明确诊断的OP患者数据,与目前文献所提供的模型数据对比,更符合临床OP患者真实的脊柱胸腰段椎体与附属结构的生物力学特性和属性变化。与正常人体模型相比较,从筋骨系统进行分析,骨与肌肉、韧带所代表的动静力变化都有明显降低,这也印证了临床真实数据的变化。结论:OP患者脊柱胸腰段椎体应力分布不均匀、应力的集中趋势导致脊柱胸腰段椎体、椎间盘、髓核、纤维环、关节突及周围附属结构应力异常变化,即骨弹性模量的异常改变、周围附属结构的束缚力下降,引起筋骨系统平衡失常和长期稳定性下降,进而增加脊柱胸腰段椎体骨折的退变过程和风险,通过有限元分析针对椎体压缩性骨折风险建立标准化预防策略,提供理论和生物力学依据。     

Microstructure of Vertebrae,Ribs, and Gastralia of Triassic Sauropterygians—New Insights into the Microanatomical Processes Involved in Aquatic Adaptations of Marine Reptiles

Isolated ribs and vertebrae of Middle Triassic sauropterygians are studied. The vertebrae have a well-defined large cavity in their centra, which is a unique feature and is without any modern analogue. The articular facets of vertebrae are made of endochondral bone including calcified as well as uncalcified cartilage. Vertebrae are pachyosteosclerotic in the pachypleurosaurs Neusticosaurus and Serpianosaurus from the Alpine Triassic, and osteosclerotic in the placodont, in the medium-sized Nothosaurus marchicus, and in the pachypleurosaur Anarosaurus. In large Nothosaurus specimens, the vertebrae are cavernous. The ribs of all sampled specimens are osteosclerotic, which resembles the microanatomy of long bones in all studied taxa. The proximal to medial part of ribs mainly consists of a compact periosteal cortex surrounding an inner endosteal territory. Toward the distal end of the ribs, the periosteal thickness decreases whereas the endosteal territory increases. Despite a shift from periosteal versus endosteal tissues, global rib compactness remains relatively constant. Osteosclerosis in ribs and vertebrae is reached by the same processes as in the long bones: by a relative increase in cortex thickness that is coupled by a reduction of the medullary cavity, by the persistence of calcified cartilage, and by an inhibition of remodeling although some resorption may occur but without complete redeposition of bone. Processes differ from those observed in Permian marine reptiles and some mosasaurines, where either extensive remodeling or inhibition of bone resorption leads to osteosclerosis. Besides differences regarding the microanatomy, all studied bones of a taxon are consistent in their bone tissue type. Anat Rec, 302:1770–1791, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy     

后路钉棒系统置入内固定并侧前方减压植骨融合治疗胸腰椎严重爆裂骨折12例

背景：胸腰椎爆裂性骨折侧前方减压植骨融合、钉棒系统内固定术可通过同一切口实现。 目的：观察后路钉棒系统置入内固定并侧前方减压植骨融合治疗胸腰椎严重爆裂骨折合并脊髓及神经根损伤的临床疗效。 方法：回顾采用后路钉棒系统置入内固定,侧前方减压植骨融合治疗12 例胸腰椎爆裂骨折合并神经损伤的病例。 结果与结论：12例患者椎管均获得有效减压,均随访9个月以上。影像学显示植骨块融合良好, 伤椎高度基本恢复,Cobb’s 角由术前平均22°恢复到6°,F rankel 分级恢复1级者6 例,恢复2级者3 例,无变化者3例。结果表明,采用后路钉棒系统内固定加侧前方减压椎体次全切除植骨融合是集减压、复位、内固定、植骨融合、矫正畸形、重建脊柱稳定一次完成的有效方法,但应严格掌握适应证。     

Automated curved planar reformation of 3D spine images

Traditional techniques for visualizing anatomical structures are based on planar cross-sections from volume images, such as images obtained by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, planar cross-sections taken in the coordinate system of the 3D image often do not provide sufficient or qualitative enough diagnostic information, because planar cross-sections cannot follow curved anatomical structures (e.g. arteries, colon, spine, etc). Therefore, not all of the important details can be shown simultaneously in any planar cross-section. To overcome this problem, reformatted images in the coordinate system of the inspected structure must be created. This operation is usually referred to as curved planar reformation (CPR). In this paper we propose an automated method for CPR of 3D spine images, which is based on the image transformation from the standard image-based to a novel spine-based coordinate system. The axes of the proposed spine-based coordinate system are determined on the curve that represents the vertebral column, and the rotation of the vertebrae around the spine curve, both of which are described by polynomial models. The optimal polynomial parameters are obtained in an image analysis based optimization framework. The proposed method was qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated on five CT spine images. The method performed well on both normal and pathological cases and was consistent with manually obtained ground truth data. The proposed spine-based CPR benefits from reduced structural complexity in favour of improved feature perception of the spine. The reformatted images are diagnostically valuable and enable easier navigation, manipulation and orientation in 3D space. Moreover, reformatted images may prove useful for segmentation and other image analysis tasks.     

Vertebral column regionalisation in Chinook salmon,Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Teleost vertebral centra are often similar in size and shape, but vertebral‐associated elements, i.e. neural arches, haemal arches and ribs, show regional differences. Here we examine how the presence, absence and specific anatomical and histological characters of vertebral centra‐associated elements can be used to define vertebral column regions in juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). To investigate if the presence of regions within the vertebral column is independent of temperature, animals raised at 8 and 12 °C were studied at 1400 and 1530 degreedays, in the freshwater phase of the life cycle. Anatomy and composition of the skeletal tissues of the vertebral column were analysed using Alizarin red S whole‐mount staining and histological sections. Six regions, termed I–VI, are recognised in the vertebral column of specimens of both temperature groups. Postcranial vertebrae (region I) carry neural arches and parapophyses but lack ribs. Abdominal vertebrae (region II) carry neural arches and ribs that articulate with parapophyses. Elastic‐ and fibrohyaline cartilage and Sharpey's fibres connect the bone of the parapophyses to the bone of the ribs. In the transitional region (III) vertebrae carry neural arches and parapophyses change stepwise into haemal arches. Ribs decrease in size, anterior to posterior. Vestigial ribs remain attached to the haemal arches with Sharpey's fibres. Caudal vertebrae (region IV) carry neural and haemal arches and spines. Basidorsals and basiventrals are small and surrounded by cancellous bone. Preural vertebrae (region V) carry neural and haemal arches with modified neural and haemal spines to support the caudal fin. Ural vertebrae (region VI) carry hypurals and epurals that represent modified haemal and neural arches and spines, respectively. The postcranial and transitional vertebrae and their respective characters are usually recognised, but should be considered as regions within the vertebral column of teleosts because of their distinctive morphological characters. While the number of vertebrae within each region can vary, each of the six regions is recognised in specimens of both temperature groups. This refined identification of regionalisation in the vertebral column of Chinook salmon can help to address evolutionary developmental and functional questions, and to support applied research into this farmed species.     

Virtual bronchoscope system

In this article, we describe the features of Virtual Bronchoscope System(VBS) and its practical use. VBS is constructed based on 3-D chest CT images. The bronchus region is automatically extracted from 3-D chest CT images by a three-dimensional region growing method. The surface rendering is employed for construction of virtualized tracheo-bronchial tree. It gives us an environment where we can observe inside the bronchi from an arbitrary viewpoint and a view direction. By mouse operation, the user can control the viewpoint and the view direction to fly through inside the airway in real time. VBS is applicable for a variety of purposes such as diagnosis, surgical planning, informed consent, education and training. One of extension of this system is a teaching tool for medical students. In the module for educational use, we have developed four functions for using the system as a teaching tool as follows: (a) automated display of bronchial anatomical names, (b) presenting questions about the currently observed branch in the endoscopic view, (c) display of the path which the user should follow, and (d) display of a question about the location of the artificially created tumor in the bronchus. These functions use the processed results of automated anatomical labeling. The method proposed here combines the knowledge based processing technique 'automated labeling of bronchial branch' and the novel visualization technique 'virtual bronchoscope'. This is one of new teaching tools of medical images. We conclude that this virtual bronchoscope system might have an important role in the medial students' education.     

Vertebral pattern variation in the North Sea harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) by computed tomography

Vertebral series in the harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) include cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and caudal. In contrast to studying skeletons from museums, in which small bones can be missed, evaluation of full body computed tomography (CT) scans provides an overview of the vertebral column, while maintaining interrelationship of all structures. The aim of this study was to document variations in vertebral patterning of the harbor porpoise via evaluation of CT images of intact stranded harbor porpoises. The harbor porpoises were divided into age classes, based on developmental stage of reproductive organs on postmortem examination and closure of proximal humeral physis on CT. Numbers of vertebrae per series, fusion state of the syncervical, type of first hemal arch, number of double articulating ribs, and floating ribs were recorded based on CT images. Included in the study were 48 harbor porpoises (27 males and 21 females), which were divided in two age classes (27 immatures and 21 adults). Total vertebral count varied from 63 to 68 with vertebral formula range C7T12-14L12-16Cd29-33. Twenty-five different vertebral formulas were found, of which C7T13L14Ca30 was the most common (n = 8, 17%). Thoracic vertebrae with six, seven, or eight double articulating ribs and zero, one, or two vertebrae with floating ribs were seen. Four different fusion states of the syncervical and four types of hemal arches were recognized. This study showed a great variation in vertebral patterning in the harbor porpoise, with homeotic and meristic variation in the thoracic, lumbar, and caudal vertebral series.     

伤椎椎弓根植骨加短节段椎弓根螺钉置入内固定治疗老年人胸腰椎骨折

背景：传统椎弓根内固定系统加后外侧植骨融合治疗老年胸腰椎爆裂性骨折易发生复位角度、高度丢失,迟发性神经损伤,内固定松动。 目的：观察经骨折椎椎弓根植骨联合椎弓根内固定治疗老年胸腰椎爆裂性骨折的方法和效果。 方法：采用经骨折椎椎弓根植骨结合短节段椎弓根螺钉内固定治疗60岁以上老年胸腰椎爆裂性骨折患者32例。评价患者内固定置入前、后及随访时椎体高度、后凸角、椎管内占位,神经功能改变及腰背疼痛等变化。 结果与结论：32例病例均随访6个月以上。无断钉及内固定物松动,椎体高度、后凸角、椎管内占位、神经功能及腰背疼痛明显改善,且椎体高度、后凸角、椎管内占位无明显再丢失。提示经骨折椎椎弓根植骨联合椎弓根内固定,能同时恢复椎体高度及强度,能即时增加椎体的骨容量和脊柱的稳定性,减少内固定因应力过大造成的断钉、断棒、椎体高度丢失等并发症。     

机器人辅助经皮椎体后凸成形术在胸腰椎压缩性骨折治疗中的应用

目的 探讨骨科机器人辅助经皮椎体后凸成形术在胸腰椎压缩性骨折治疗中的应用价值。方法 前瞻性随机对照研究。选取2021年4—7月新疆医科大学第一附属医院骨科胸腰椎压缩性骨折患者30例,其中男15例、女15例,年龄60~75岁。单节段骨折26例,双节段骨折4例;骨折椎体节段：T₁₀ 2例,T₁₁ 2例,T₁₂ 10例,L₁ 8例,L₂ 5例,L₃ 7例。30例患者按数字表法随机分为对照组和机器人组,每组15例。对照组行传统经皮椎体穿刺成形术,机器人组行机器人辅助下经皮椎体后凸成形术。观察项目：（1）比较2组患者伤椎穿刺点导针定位时间、术中透射次数、出血量、骨水泥渗漏情况,以及术前、术后伤椎前缘相对高度（伤椎前缘高度/上下邻椎前缘高度平均值）;（2）机器人组中,测量比较术前规划穿刺通道与术中实际穿刺通道的矢状截面角、横截面角、进针点距椎体中线距离,评估机器人导针定位的精准度。结果 2组患者性别构成、年龄、身高、体质量、伤椎分布情况、术前伤椎前缘相对高度等基线资料比较,差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。机器人组单个导针平均定位时间、术中透射次数分别为（283.5±118.7）s、（12.4±5.7）次,均少于对照组的（469.2±113.9）s、（16.5±4.7）次,差异均有统计学意义（t=-5.68、-2.78,P值均<0.05）。机器人组术中出血量、术后伤椎前缘相对高度分别为（8.8±4.6）mL、0.9±0.1,对照组分别为（10.3±5.3）mL、0.9±0.5,差异均无统计学意义（P值均>0.05）。2组患者术后伤椎前缘相对高度均高于术前,差异均有统计学意义（t=3.81、3.59,P=0.002、0.003）。机器人组术中发生骨水泥渗漏2例,对照组发生骨水泥渗漏4例,差异无统计学意义（P=0.387）。机器人组中,术前规划穿刺通道矢状截面角、横截面角、进针点距椎体中线距离分别为16.7°±3.4°、10.0°±6.6°、（33.3±6.2）mm,术中实际进针隧道矢状截面角、横截面角、进针点距椎体中线距离分别为16.6°±3.8°、8.5°±6.2°、（33.3±6.2）mm,两组间差异均无统计学意义（t=0.08、0.82、-0.01,P值均>0.05）。结论 与传统经皮穿刺椎体后凸成形术相比,机器人辅助下经皮椎体穿刺成形术治疗胸腰椎压缩性骨折,恢复伤椎椎体高度效果相同,还具有导针定位精准、定位时间短、术中透视次数少的优势。临床试验注册 在中国临床试验注册中心注册,注册号：ChiCTR200004033。     

Validation of the non-stereo corresponding points stereoradiographic 3D reconstruction technique

Several 3D reconstruction techniques deriving from stereoradiographic DLT have been presented during the last 15 years, but these techniques have usually been limited in accuracy because of the small number of corresponding anatomical landmarks identified on both radiographs. A new technique has recently been proposed to perform 3D reconstruction of the spine using not only the stereo-corresponding anatomical landmarks (seen on both frontal and sagittal X-ray films) but also some non-stereo-corresponding ones. This technique (called non-stereo-corresponding points or NSCP) has already been used for cervical dry vertebrae. In the present study, we focus on the validation of this technique for lumbar vertebrae by comparing four techniques: direct measurement, CT scan, 3D reconstruction by stereoradiography using a direct linear transformation (DLT) algorithm and the NSCP technique. The accuracy of the NSCP technique was also evaluated on different vertebral regions. The global results show mean errors of 1.1 mm and maximum of 7.8 mm with regard to direct measurements. These mean errors are close to those obtained using 3D reconstructions from CT scan using 1 mm cuts.     

胸腰部移行椎与腰骶部移行椎关系的研究

探讨胸腰部移行椎与腰骶部移行椎的关系。方法；对５７３名成年腰椎Ｘ线片进行分析，统计胸腰部移行椎和腰骶部移物推的发生率和分布情况以及二者之间关系。结果：共发现胸腰部移行椎和／或腰骶部移行椎１２４例，占２１．６％。其中胸腰部移行椎合并腰骶部移行椎７０例，随胸腰部移行椎由不完全型向完全的发展，合并的腰骶部移行椎似有自Ｉ型至Ⅵ型过渡之趋势。     

脊柱胸腰段结构变化断层切片与CT三维重建测量比较

背景：单纯CT三维重建数据难以完全保证手术过程安全,火棉胶包埋断层切片已广泛用于头颅、眼眶和膝等多部位解剖研究,国内外至今少有脊柱经改良火棉胶包埋后断层切片报道。 目的：探讨断层切片和CT扫描后三维重建对胸腰段脊髓及脊神经走行过程中各结构的诊断价值。 方法：40例胸腰段脊柱标本行螺旋CT薄扫后重建,用e-film软件观测相关解剖参数,同时经改良火棉胶包埋法行冠状、矢状和水平位薄层切片,用Amira4.1软件重建并测算对应指标。 结果与结论：断层切片较CT二维图像更能详细直观观测胸腰段椎管、椎间管内伴行结构关系;断层切片和CT薄扫后重建在测量椎间管高度、宽度、椎管斜径及硬膜囊直径时差异有显著性意义,在测算椎弓根纵径、横径及椎间管长度时差异无显著性意义。说明：①由于CT软组织窗或骨窗窗宽、窗位和分辨率的影响,其二维图像在一定程度上难以精确辨认软组织结构,而断层切片却可直观观察脊髓、脊神经根及伴行血管或椎间管韧带分布。②断层切片重建对骨性及非骨性结构皆可清晰识别,更利于观测实际上有软组织贴附的椎管及椎间管各结构参数,而CT薄扫重建一般仅能准确观测骨性结构指标,但两法在观测骨性结构数据时基本一致。③CT和断层切片重建在观测靶结构随脊椎序数变化的演变过程时一致。     

Four accessory (supernumerary) intrathoracic ribs: a case report

Accessory (supernumerary) intrathoracic ribs are a very rare congenital disorder. Here, we present the first case of multiple supernumerary intrathoracic ribs in an adult, which are present consecutively between ribs 1 and 4 and without articulation with the vertebrae. Despite this, anatomical variation is usually silent and accidentally discovered; its knowledge can prevent confusion with other structures during imaging diagnostic techniques of thoracic pathologies.