Objective: To identify the morphologic changes in the vertebral artery (VA) subsequent to cervical spine degeneration and aging and to investigate the risk factors for iatrogenic VA injury or occlusion.
Methods: Eighty-eight consecutive patients (176 bilateral VAs) were retrospectively analyzed using radiographs, computed tomography, and computed tomography angiography images. The Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) score and its modified subscores were used to grade the severity of degenerative changes in the cervical spine. VA tortuosity widths and diameters were measured between the C2 and C6 transverse foramens. The outcome measures were statistically analyzed for difference, correlation, and explanatory variable. The level with a high prevalence of VA stenosis was also evaluated.
Results: There were significant positive correlations between the KL score and VA tortuosity width, and between age and VA tortuosity width. Osteophyte formation in the facet joint was the predominant explanatory variable for medial deviation of the VA. Significant positive correlations were evident between the dominant VA diameter and KL score or age. VA stenosis occurred at C3/C4 (24.5%) with the highest prevalence and it was caused by uncovertebral joint osteophytes (52.0%) with the highest incidence.
Conclusions: The present study provides important evidence for decisions of surgical strategy and for avoiding catastrophic VA injury or occlusion in cervical spine surgeries.
Keywords: Aging; Cervical spine; Degeneration; Occlusion; Stenosis; Tortuosity; Vertebral artery.
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