A SINGLE-CENTER, CROSS-SECTIONAL PREVALENCE STUDY OF CERVICAL DIFFUSE IDIOPATHIC SKELETAL HYPEROSTOSIS

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of cervical diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis using computed tomography scans of the cervical vertebra.Materials and Methods: This study was performed using the Picture Archiving and Communication System of our hospital. Computed tomography images of 1744 patients were included in this study. The patients were divided into age groups by decade. The characteristics of the cervical osteophytes and intervertebral bridging were recorded. Cervical diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis was diagnosed based on the criteria described by Resnick and Niwayama.Results: The mean age of the study group was 48 years. The prevalence rate of cervical diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis was 6.3% (6.4% in males and 6.2% in females). The difference between genders was not statistically significant (p=0.908). The prevalence rates significantly increased as age increased. The prevalence rate of cervical osteophytes was 36.5% (33.9% in males and 40.6% in females). The most frequently affected level was C5-6 (16.9%), and the vertebra was C6 (30.6%). Osteophytes were localised in the midline with a rate of 75.5% and was most frequently found in the 70-79 age group (81.2%).Conclusion:In our study, we detected the prevalence rates of cervical diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and cervical osteophytes, which were 6.3% and 36.5%, respectively. In comparison, the most frequently affected vertebra and intervertebral levels were, respectively, C6 (30.6%) and C5-6 (16.9%), and cervical osteophytes was most often formed in the midline (75.5%).