INCIDENCE OF BLOCK VERTEBRAE IN SOUTH INDIANS: AN OSTEOMETRIC

BACKGROUND: Fusion of consecutive vertebral segments results in block vertebrae or vertebral synostosis or spinal fusion. The fusion may be complete or incomplete involving the bodies of the vertebrae alone or along with vertebral arch. It affects most commonly the cervical region, followed by thoracic and lumbar regions. AIM: The present study was aimed to assess the incidence of block vertebrae in south Indian population. METHODS AND MATERIAL: We examined a total of 2400 fully ossified dried vertebrae collected for a period of 4 years in Department of Anatomy, Dr. VRK Women's Medical College. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The study revealed 6 different specimens of block vertebrae, with 4 cervical, 1 cervico-thoracic and 1 thoracic vertebral synostosis. The features of these block vertebrae were analysed in detail and photographed from different aspects. The total incidence of block vertebrae was found to be 0.25%. The embryological significance and clinical implications of block vertebrae at various levels have been discussed in this paper.

[1]  M. Faheem,et al.  Fusion of axis with third cervical vertebra: a case report , 2016 .

[2]  Y. Yadav,et al.  Cervical Vertebra Synostosis (C2-C3) - A Case Report , 2014 .

[3]  Bhagwan Gangadhar Kulkarni,et al.  A CASE OF FUSION OF THORACIC VERTEBRA , 2013 .

[4]  F. Shen,et al.  Classification of Congenitally Fused Cervical Patterns in Klippel-Feil Patients: Epidemiology and Role in the Development of Cervical Spine-Related Symptoms , 2006, Spine.

[5]  Y. Yadav,et al.  Clinical implications of alignment of upper and lower cervical spine. , 2006, Neurology India.

[6]  M. Ochi,et al.  Cervical angina caused by atlantoaxial instability. , 2004, Journal of spinal disorders & techniques.

[7]  M. Henneberg,et al.  Clinical perspectives on secular trends of intervertebral foramen diameters in an industrialized European society , 2004, European Spine Journal.

[8]  S. Masnicová,et al.  Developmental anomalies in skeletal remains from the Great Moravia and Middle Ages cemeteries at Devín (Slovakia) , 2003 .

[9]  A. Elster.  Bertolotti's Syndrome Revisited: Transitional Vertebrae of the Lumbar Spine , 1989, Spine.

[10]  W. Seaman.  Analysis of Roentgen Signs in General Radiology , 1974 .

[11]  R. W. Butler.  Spontaneous anterior fusion of vertebral bodies. , 1971, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[12]  G. Glaser,et al.  THE KLIPPEL-FEIL SYNDROME: GENETIC AND CLINICAL REEVALUATION OF CERVICAL FUSION , 1967, Medicine.

[13]  Templeton Aw,et al.  THE INCIDENCE OF ACQUIRED AND CONGENITAL FUSIONS IN THE CERVICAL SPINE. , 1964 .

[14]  R. K. Gorea,et al.  A study of vertebral synostosis and its clinical significance , 2013 .

[15]  Humphrey Davy Rolleston,et al.  The Cambridge Medical School: Department of Anatomy , 2009 .

[16]  Vineet Sharma,et al.  Cervical vertebrae anomalies-incidental findings on lateral cephalograms. , 2008, The Angle orthodontist.

[17]  K. Satish.  Radiological Differential Diagnosis , 2005 .

[18]  Congenital Fusion Of Cervical Vertebrae and Its Clinical Significance , 2004 .

[19]  A. W. Templeton,et al.  THE INCIDENCE OF ACQUIRED AND CONGENITAL FUSIONS IN THE CERVICAL SPINE. , 1964, The American journal of roentgenology, radium therapy, and nuclear medicine.