Jun Xuan, Di Zhang, Hai-Ming Jin, Jiao-Xiang Chen, Dao-Liang Xu, Hong-Ming Xu, Yao-Sen Wu, Xiang-Yang Wang


November 2016, Volume 25, Issue 12, pp 4199 - 4207 Original Article Read Full Article 10.1007/s00586-016-4730-y

First Online: 23 August 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the feasibility of cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screws fixation via pedicle or pedicle rib unit in the cadaveric thoracic spine (T9–T12).

Methods

Computed tomography (CT) images of 100 patients are analyzed by multiplanar reconstruction. Ten cadaveric thoracic spines are used to insert 4.5 × 35.0 mm CBT screws at all levels from T9 to T12.

Results

Maximal screw length obtained by CT has a tendency to gradually increase from T9 (29.64 mm) to T12 (32.84 mm), and the difference reaches significant level at all levels except T9 versus T10 (P 

Conclusions

Both radiographic and cadaveric studies establish the feasibility of CBT screws placement via pedicle or pedicle rib unit in the lower thoracic spine (T9–T12). Furthermore, our measurements are also useful for application of this technique.


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