Abstract
Purpose
To determine the frequency and degree of lateral displacement of the esophagus relative to the cricoid cartilage (“cricoid”) using computed tomography (CT) images of normal necks.
Methods
Fifty-one cervical CT scans of clinically normal patients were reviewed retrospectively. Esophageal diameter, distance between the midline of the cricoid and the midline of the esophagus, and distance between the lateral border of the cricoid and the lateral border of the esophagus were measured.
Results
Lateral esophageal displacement was observed in 49% (25/51) of CT images. When present, the mean length of displaced esophagus relative to the midline of the cricoid was 3.3 mm ± SD 1.3 mm. Of those with lateral displacement, 64% had esophageal displacement beyond the lateral border of the cricoid (mean 3.2 mm ± SD 1.2 mm). There is a relatively normal distribution of the grouped measures of percentage of esophageal diameter that is displaced. Of those with displacement, 48% had over 15% of the total width of the esophagus displaced laterally and 20% had over 20% of the esophageal width displaced laterally.
Conclusion
There is a 49% frequency of some degree of lateral displacement of the esophagus relative to the cricoid.
Résumé
Objectif
Déterminer la fréquence et le degré de déplacement latéral de l’œsophage relativement au cartilage cricoïde («cricoïde») en utilisant les Images tomodensltométriques cervicales normales.
Méthode
Cinquante et une Images de tomodensltométrle cervicale de patients diniquement normaux ont été revues rétrospectivement. Le diamètre œsophagien, la distance entre la ligne médiane du cricoïde et celle de l’œsophage et la distance entre le bord latéral du cricoïde et celui de l’œsophage ont été mesurées.
Résultats
Le déplacement latéral de l’œsophage a été observé dans 49% (25/51) des Images. Lorsqu’il était présent, il était en moyenne de 3,3 mm ± 1,3 mm d’écart type par rapport à la ligne médiane du cricoïde. Soixantequatre pour cent des déplacements latéraux de l’œsophage allaient au delà du bord latéral du cricoïde (moyenne de 3,2 mm ± 1,2 mm d’écart type). Nous avons noté une distribution relativement normale des mesures groupées de pourcentage de diamètre œsophagien déplacés. De ces déplacements, 48% présentaient plus de 15% de la largeur totale de l’œsophage déplacé latéralement et 20% avaient plus de 20% de déplacement.
Conclusion
La fréquence de déplacement latéral de l’œsophage d’un certain degré par rapport au cricoïde est de 49%.
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Smith, K.J., Ladak, S., Choi, P.T.L. et al. The cricoid cartilage and the esophagus are not aligned in close to half of adult patients. Can J Anesth 49, 503–507 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03017931
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03017931