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Review
. 2016:2016:8034613.
doi: 10.1155/2016/8034613. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

The Epidemiological, Morphological, and Clinical Aspects of the Cervical Ribs in Humans

Łukasz Spadliński  1 , Tomasz Cecot  2 , Agata Majos  3 , Ludomir Stefańczyk  4 , Wioletta Pietruszewska  5 , Grzegorz Wysiadecki  6 , Mirosław Topol  6 , Michał Polguj  1
Affiliations
Review

The Epidemiological, Morphological, and Clinical Aspects of the Cervical Ribs in Humans

Łukasz Spadliński et al. Biomed Res Int. 2016.

Abstract

A familiarity with the anatomy of some types of bone anomalies is necessary for clinicians involved in many medical areas. The aim of this paper is to review the newest literature concerning the morphology, embryology, clinical image, and therapeutic methods of the cervical ribs in the humans. The incidence of cervical ribs has been found to vary from 0.58% in Malaysian population to 6.2% in Turkish population. Cervical ribs have clinical implications that are generally divided into neurological or vascular. This study is of particular importance for clinicians, as early identification of cervical ribs may prevent life-threatening complications.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors confirm that neither Michał Polguj nor any other author of this paper has any competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest radiograph showing bilateral cervical ribs (arrows) attached to the seventh cervical vertebra.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Radiograph of the cervical column showing bilateral cervical ribs (arrows) attached to the fourth cervical vertebra. Patient after neurosurgical intervention in cervical spine.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Three-dimensional volume rendering (VR) chest multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) demonstrating unilateral cervical rib (white arrows) and pseudoarthrosis (yellow arrow). The course of the subclavian artery is changed by unusual topographic relations.
Figure 4
Figure 4
A computed tomography transverse (CT) scan at the level of the seventh cervical vertebra demonstrating unilateral cervical rib (arrows).
Figure 5
Figure 5
A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) coronal scan demonstrating unilateral cervical rib (arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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