Measurement and analysis of prevertebral soft tissue width of cervicothoracic region using magnetic resonance images

Objective: To evaluate the characterization of normal prevertebral soft tissue width of cervicothoracic region using magnetic resonance images. Methods: Prevertebral soft tissue width in the cervicothoracic region of 165 patients was measured using magnetic resonance images (MRI). The mean and standard deviation of these measurements were calculated and Spearman's correlation analysis was conducted to study the influences of age, sex and vertebral level on prevertebral soft tissue width. Results: The prevertebral soft tissue width in 165 subjects were measured and documented, and the value at each level is significantly different from those at adjacent level (p<0.05). In addition, the width of prevertebral soft tissue in female and younger is significantly smaller than those in male and elders (p>0.05). Conclusion: Vertebral level, sex and age have significant influence on prevertebral soft tissue width.