The American journal of emergency medicine
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Atlantodental interval (ADI), basion-dental interval (BDI) and the thickness of prevertebral soft tissue (TOPST) measured in lateral cervical radiographs were reported to be useful indicators and indirect signs of underlying cervical spine injuries. However, cervical computed tomography (MDCT) is the first method of imaging used in all trauma patients and upper normal limits (UNLs) of cervical distances according to age and sex are undetermined. Therefore, we aimed to calculate these metrics. ⋯ We believe that the increase in distances with age may be affected by the height losses of discs and vertebral bodies, formation of anterior osteophytes and regional kyphosis by age. Those results were compatible with the previous reports.