RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Normal Thickness and Appearance of the Prevertebral Soft Tissues on Multidetector CT JF American Journal of Neuroradiology JO Am. J. Neuroradiol. FD American Society of Neuroradiology SP 136 OP 141 DO 10.3174/ajnr.A1307 VO 30 IS 1 A1 C.A. Rojas A1 D. Vermess A1 J.C. Bertozzi A1 J. Whitlow A1 C. Guidi A1 C.R. Martinez YR 2009 UL http://www.ajnr.org/content/30/1/136.abstract AB BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Analysis of the prevertebral soft tissue (PVST) is helpful in detecting osseous and ligamentous injuries of the cervical spine. 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.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. 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. Exclusion criteria included patients with a congenital or acquired (nondegenerative) abnormality of the cervical spine or PVST.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. The upper limit of normal was not determined for C4 and C5 levels due to variable position of the esophagus and larynx. The smallest variability and calculated SDs were found at C2 and C3.CONCLUSIONS: The thickness of the PVST is important in the detection of underlying injuries 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.