A morphometric analysis of thoracolumbar vertebrae in goat by computed tomography. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Roels, Josephine; Hassoun, Roy; Massenzio, M; Ronel, S; Lafon, Y; Viguier, Eric; Cachon, Thibaut
• Is Part Of: Veterinary and animal science. Volume 15(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Goat -- Morphometric -- Spine -- Computed tomography -- Pedicular screw
• DOI: 10.1016/j.vas.2022.100233
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2451-943X

Abstract

Highlights: Elaboration of a quantitative database of pedicle screw implantation corridors and morphometric dimensions of the normal thoracolumbar goat spine. The estimating insertion angles for pedicular screw are of approximately 30 ° for the T2-T3 segments, 25 ° for the T4-T5 segments, 23 ° for the T6-T11 segments, 20 ° for the T12-T13 segments, 22 ° for the L1-L3 segments, 24° for the L4 segment and 30° for the L5-L6 segments. Abstract: The goat spine is widely used as an animal model for preclinical research in human medicine to test new spinal implants and surgical procedures. Therefore, precise morphometric data are needed. This study aims to provide morphometric data of the goat thoracolumbar vertebrae and to define the parameters/characteristics of the optimum implantation corridors for pedicle screws in the thoracolumbar spine in goat. Eleven 36-month-old adult alpine goats were included in this study, and a sample of 198 vertebrae was measured. Subsequently, transverse and sagittal images were obtained using a multi-detector-row helical computed tomography (CT) scanner. Measurements of the vertebral bodies (ventral body width VBW, ventral body depth VBD, ventral body height ventral VBHv, ventral body high dorsal VBHd, spinal canal depth SCD, spinal canal width SCW), pedicles (pedicle length PDL, pedicle width PDW, pedicle angle PA and pedicle axis length PAL), intervertebral disc (DT) and transverse process length (TPL) were performed with dedicated software. The vertebral bodies and the spinal canal were wider than deep, mostly evident in the lumbar region. The intervertebral discs were as much as 65.7% thicker in the lumbar spine than in the thoracic spine. The pedicles were longer than wide over the thoracic and lumbar spines. The insertion angles in pedicle were approximately 30° for the T2-T4 segment, 25° for the T5-T6 segment, 23° for the T6 to T11 segment, 20° for T11 to L3, 25° for L4 and 30° for L5 and L6. In conclusion, the generated data can serve as a CT reference for the caprine thoracolumbar spine and may be helpful in using the goat spine as an animal model for human spinal research.