Abstract
Cervical Cord Neuropraxia (CCN) and incomplete cord injuries such as Central Cord Syndrome (CCS) are more prevalent in patients with congenitally narrow spinal canals. The aim of this study was to identify if racial groups were over represented in patients with incomplete cord injuries, and if there was an ethnic variation in mid sagittal cervical spine diameter in the general population.
CT scan was used to measure the mid sagittal diameter of the C3 to C7 cervical vertebrae in a group of 166 sequential trauma patients who had CT scans of the cervical spine at Middlemore Hospital. Patient’s race was that declared by the patient. Four different observers used computer digitisation to measure the mid sagittal diameters and mean sagittal diameter for each level. Measurements were compared between races.
Maori cervical spine canals were found to be 1mm smaller than Europeans (P values less than 0.005) whilst Polynesians had on average a 2mm smaller mid sagittal diameter compared to Europeans (all P values less than 0.001).
This study has demonstrated that Polynesians were over represented in the group of patients who experienced CCS or Transient Cervical Neuropraxia. CT scan assessment demonstrated that both Maoris and Polynesians had significantly narrower canals than their European counterparts. The implications of this study are that Maori and Polynesians involve in high impact activities such as rugby may be at increased risk of incomplete or complete spinal cord injuries. There is however no reliable screening tool available for congenital spinal canal stenosis.
The abstracts were prepared by Editorial Secretary Jean-Claude Theis. Correspondence should be addressed to NZOA at Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dunedin Hospital, Private Bag 1921, Dunedin, New Zealand.
