Anatomical and epidemiological examination of the structure and localization of osteophytes of cervical vertebrae in geriatric patients by using computed tomography method

The aim of this study was to examine various parameters of osteophytes of the cervical vertebrae in geriatric individuals. In our study, 764 (M: 413, F: 351) patients who applied to Artvin State Hospital Radiology Polyclinic between 2018 and 2023 were analyzed. Individuals were divided into 3 age groups: 65-74, 75-84, 85-100 years old. A total of 1209 osteophytes were identified. Osteophytes were evaluated according to gender, age, osteophyte type, Grade, vertebral level, vertebral space, anatomical direction, anatomical surface and length parameters. In the study, osteophyte formation was observed in all individuals aged 85 years and over and osteophyte formation increased with age (p<0.05). The presence of osteophytes was detected in 84.9% of the female and 88.4% of the male subjects and it was found that the presence of osteophytes did not differ significantly according to gender (p>0.05). Fused type osteophytes were seen more frequently in male patients than in female patients (p<0.05). Traction type osteophytes were found more frequently in female patients than male patients (p<0.05). Grade 2 osteophytes were seen more frequently in female patients than in male patients (p<0.05). Grade 4 osteophytes were seen more frequently in male patients than in female patients (p<0.05). Posterior osteophytes were seen more frequently in male patients than in female patients, while osteophytes on the left were more frequently detected in female patients than in male patients (p<0.05). While fused type osteophytes were more common in the 65-74 age group than in the 75-84 age group, traction type osteophytes were more common in the 75-84 age group than in the 65-74 age group (p<0.05). Grade 1 osteophytes were detected more frequently in traction type osteophytes than Grade 1 osteophytes in other types (p<0.05). Grade 4 osteophytes in fused type cases were more common than Grade 4 osteophytes in other types (p<0.05). Osteophytes at the C2, C3, C4 vertebral levels in claw type cases were found more frequently than osteophytes in other types (p<0.05) Traction type osteophytes were frequently found at the C6 vertebral level (p<0.05). Fused type osteophytes were frequently observed at the C7 vertebral level (p<0.05). Traction type osteophytes were detected more frequently at the C5-6 vertebral range than claw type osteophytes (p<0.05). Fused type osteophytes were more frequently observed anteriorly than other types of osteophytes (p<0.05). Traction type osteophytes were found more frequently in the posterior compared to other osteophyte types (p<0.05). Claw type osteophytes were more frequently observed in the inferior facies compared to other osteophyte types, whereas fused type osteophytes were more frequently found in the superior facies compared to claw type osteophytes (p<0.05). Men had longer osteophytes (mm) compared to women (p<0.05). Claw type osteophytes were found to be longer than traction type osteophytes (p<0.05). In our study, the presence of osteophytes increased with age in geriatric patients. Significant results were found in type, degree, direction, vertebral level, vertebral space, anatomical surface and length parameters of osteophytes. We think that it will shed light on other prevalence studies to be conducted in the future.