Normal Values Of Anteroposterior Spinal Canal Diameter At T1-T12 Measured By MSCT In 0-16 Years Old Children

Objectives: To determine changes features in normal values of anteroposterior spinal canal diameter in children with different age and gender according to normal values of anteroposterior spinal canal diameter at T1-T12 in 0-16 years old children measured by multi-slice spiral CT(MSCT).Methods: The anteroposterior diameters of thoracic spinal canal at T1-T12 in 400 0-16 years old children were measured by MSCT.The differences in the above diameters were compared among children with different gender and age.The change rule in anteroposterior diameters of thoracic spinal canal in 0-16 years old children with age and gender differences were summarized.The developmental trends of anteroposterior thoracic spinal canal at T1-T12 with age were analyzed.Results: The anteroposterior diameters of thoracic spinal canal at T1-T12 were gradually increased in 0-16 years old boys and girls with age increasing.After they were 13 years old,development rate slowed down and tended to be stable.The anteroposterior diameters of thoracic spinal canal in boys aged less than 3 years at T3,less than 5 years at T1,T2,T3 and T6,less than 6 years at T1 and T12,less than 7 years at T5-12,less than 8 years at T7-8,less than 9 years at T1-2,T5,T7-8 and T10,less than11 years at T1-3,T8 and T10,less than 12 years at T8-T11,less than 13 years at T5 and T7-10 were higher than those in girls with the same age(P<0.05).There were significant differences in anteroposterior diameters of thoracic spinal canal at T1-T12 among children with different age(P<0.05).The age was positively correlated with anteroposterior diameters of thoracic spinal canal at T1-T12(r= 0.701,0.664,0.676,0.685,0.687,0.684,0.655,0.620,0.620,0.617,0.590,0.629,P<0.05).Conclusion: MSCT can accurately measure normal value of anteroposterior diameters of thoracic spinal canal at T1-T12 in 0-16 years old children.The anteroposterior diameters are increased with age increasing,showing linear correlation with age.Thoracic spinal canal development in boys is faster than that in girls.