Relationship of elongated anterior tubercle to incomplete segmentation in the cervical spine.

PURPOSE

To describe the elongated anterior tubercle of cervical vertebrae, its association with incomplete segmentation, and its analogy to sacralization of the lower lumbar vertebrae.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cases with elongated anterior tubercles of the cervical vertebrae detected on plain radiography were collected during routine practice and their features analyzed on plain radiography and MR imaging. Five patients, aged 19-40 years, with the anomaly seen on plain radiography were included in this study. MR imaging was undertaken in one patient.

RESULTS

Hypertrophy of the anterior tubercle was associated with incomplete segmentation in three of the five patients. Oblique views were adequate to demonstrate its nature.

CONCLUSIONS

The association of an elongated tubercle and incomplete segmentation is similar to partial sacralization at the lumbosacral junction. Clinically it is important that these anomalies are not mistaken for pathologic findings.