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Prevalence of cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes in Omani population: a computed tomography-based study

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Abstract

Introduction

Cervical ribs are the supernumerary ribs that usually arise from the seventh cervical vertebra. Ethnic and geographical variations in cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes have been reported. Therefore, we aimed to study the prevalence of cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes and morphometry of cervical ribs in Omani subjects using computed tomography (CT).

Methods

A total of 1165 consecutive patients’ CT scans of the cervical spine who had visited the tertiary care hospital from January 2016 to December 2020 were included in the study. The CT scans were screened for cervical ribs and elongated C7 transverse processes. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine the gender influence.

Results

Cervical ribs were identified in 0.94% of patients with a male-to-female ratio of 0.37:1. Most cervical ribs were unilateral (54%). The elongated C7 transverse process was identified in 18.45% of patients, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.36:1. Female patients are more likely to have cervical ribs (effect size = 5.98, 95% CI = 1.58–22.6, p = 0.005) than male patients. In contrast, the elongated C7 transverse process is more frequent in males (effect size = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.34–2.47, p < 0.001). The length and width of the cervical ribs are presented.

Conclusion

The prevalence of cervical ribs in Omani subjects is close to that of accepted prevalence worldwide. However, the elongated C7 transverse process prevalence is comparatively high and close to the Saudi population.

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Funding

The present study has no funding support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology Residency Program, Oman Medical Specialty Board, Athaiba North 132, Muscat, Oman

    Marwa Al Subhi

  2. Department of Radiology and Molecular Imaging, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh 123, Muscat, Oman

    Eiman Al Ajmi

  3. College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh 123, Muscat, Oman

    Abdullah Al Lawati & Husain Al Aswami

  4. Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh 123, Muscat, Oman

    Moon Fai Chan & Srinivasa Rao Sirasanagandla

  5. Department of Human and Clinical Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Al-Khoudh 123, Muscat, Oman

    Srinivasa Rao Sirasanagandla

Authors
  1. Marwa Al Subhi
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  2. Eiman Al Ajmi
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  3. Abdullah Al Lawati
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  4. Husain Al Aswami
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  5. Moon Fai Chan
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  6. Srinivasa Rao Sirasanagandla
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Contributions

EAA and SRS: protocol/project development, MAS and EAA: data collection, HAA: data analysis, SRS, AAL, and MFC: manuscript writing and revision, MAS, EAA, and MFC: manuscript editing. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Srinivasa Rao Sirasanagandla.

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Al Subhi, M., Al Ajmi, E., Al Lawati, A. et al. Prevalence of cervical ribs and elongated transverse processes in Omani population: a computed tomography-based study. Surg Radiol Anat 44, 1361–1366 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-03028-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-022-03028-0

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