Degenerative Joint Disease of the Upper Cervical Spines: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography Study

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence, imaging features, and predictors (age and gender) of upper cervical spine degenerative joint disease (DJD).

Methods: Two oral radiologists retrospectively reviewed the cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations conducted at a university-based imaging center over 1 year. They recorded the imaging findings related to the upper cervical spine (C1C2) and collected patient demographic data. Then the data of the patients with and without DJD findings in the upper cervical spine were compared.

Results: The prevalence of upper cervical DJD was 45.6%. There were no gender-based differences in upper cervical DJD. The prevalence of upper cervical DJD increased steadily with age. There was a statistically significantly difference in the prevalence of upper cervical DJD at all the age ranges.

Conclusions: DJD of the upper cervical spine is a relatively common incidental finding frequently captured in CBCT scans acquired for dental purposes.

Keywords: Cone-beam computed tomography; cervical spine; degenerative disease; diagnostic imaging; incidental findings.