The thickness of the prevertebral soft tissue (PVST) has long been considered a valuable radiographic measurement in evaluating possible injury to the cervical spine. We propose the obtained values as the upper limits of normal for PVST thickness on MDCT images in the adult population. The smallest variability and calculated SDs were found at C2 and C3.ĬONCLUSIONS: The thickness of the PVST is important in the detection of underlying injuries to the cervical spine.

The upper limit of normal was not determined for C4 and C5 levels due to variable position of the esophagus and larynx. RESULTS: The upper limits of normal for the thickness of the PVST were 8.5 mm at C1, 6 mm at C2, 7 mm at C3, 18 mm at C6, and 18 mm at C7. Exclusion criteria included patients with a congenital or acquired (nondegenerative) abnormality of the cervical spine or PVST. Patients included in the study were not intubated, had an immobilized cervical spine, had normal findings on cervical spine CT, and did not have a diagnosis of osseous or soft-tissue cervical injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thickness of the PVST was measured in 192 patients undergoing screening cervical spine MDCT with multiplanar reconstructions as part of a trauma protocol. Because the standard of care has shifted from radiographs to multidetector CT (MDCT), a re-examination of the PVST on MDCT images is needed to establish normal values for thickness appropriate for this imaging technique. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Analysis of the prevertebral soft tissue (PVST) is helpful in detecting osseous and ligamentous injuries of the cervical spine.

Normal healthy cervical spine x ray