Pedicle morphology of the immature thoracic spine

Objective To quantify the morphometric characteristics of the pedicles of immaturethoracic spine. Methods A total of 120 patients, including 60 males and 60 females, aged from 5 to 14years. All of the patients underwent standard spiral computed tomography. The patients were groupedaccording to age: Group 1 (5 to 8 years old), Group 2 (9 to 11 years old) and Group 3 (12 to 14 yearsold). Images were reconstructed, and the thoracic pedicles were displayed on sagittal, coronal, andtransverse planes. The inner and outer pedicle diameters were measured on the transverse plane, pedi-cle sagittal diameter was measured on the sagittal plane, pedicle length and the pedicle angle wereT1, to T4, and then increased gradually from T5 to T12. The shortest transverse diameter of the thorac-was negative below the level of T10. The pedicle length increased with advancing age, and the pedicleangle was revealed a slightly variation throughout growth. Conclusions Pedicle morphology changeswith growth. Pedicular morphometric characteristics should be investigated using the radiologic exami-nation for the success of transpedicular fixation on children. Key words: Thoracic vertebra;  Pedicle; Child