Application of CT 3-dimensional reconstructive images in localization of thoracic intervertebral foramen

Objective To determine puncturing localization and depth of the thoracic intervertebral foramen with 3-dimensional position in CT 3-dimensional(3DCT)reconstruction images.Methods Thirty patients with normal thoracic spines underwent 3DCT reconstruction.The width and height of intervertebral foramen,the distances between the thoracic intervertebral foramen and horizontal plane which the spinous process of the cephalad thoracic vertebra in,and the median sagittal plane,and all spinous process tip plane were measured.Results ①The vertical distance between the intervertebral foramen and the horizontal plane passing through the spinous process tip of the cephalad thoracic vertebra of T1-3,T4-6,T7-9,T10-12 were(20.5±3.0) mm,(5.1±4.7) mm,(4.4±2.0) mm and(19.6±5.4) mm,respectively.②Among all the intervertebral foramen,T7 was the nearest one to the spinous process tip and median sagittal plane,and the distance was(15.2±4.8) mm and(44.3±5.9) mm,respectively.Distances between other thoracic vertebras showed an increasing tendency.③The average width of intervertebral foramen was(9.8±1.4) mm.④ From T1 to T12,the height of intervertebral foramen increase gradually,the average was(12.1±3.5) mm.Conclusion The accurate localization of thoracic intervertebral foramen can be determined according to the cephalad spinous process tip.