A novel radiological index for the evaluation of cervical posterior subcutaneous fat tissue thickness and cervical spine degeneration: A retrospective study

Abstract

Obesity is an important risk factor linked to the incidence of both neck pain (NP) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Subcutaneous fat tissue thickness (SFTT) has been proposed as a more effective biomarker than body mass index (BMI) when gauging body fat levels. This study was thus designed to explore the optimal SFTT cutoff value for differentiating between NP patients and asymptomatic individuals by using the subcutaneous fat index (SFI). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) records from NP patients and asymptomatic controls were compared to evaluate IVDD, the fatty infiltration of the paravertebral muscles, and Modic changes. Cervical SFTT was also assessed at multiple levels. SFTT at the C3 level was found to be significantly associated with NP, with respective optimal cutoff values of 9.64 mm and 8.21 mm for females and males. Females in this study cohort more frequently exhibited spine deterioration with an SFI > 9.64 mm as compared to males with an SFI > 8.21 mm. Cervical SFTT is strongly correlated with the degree of disc degeneration. IVDD, Modic changes, and fatty infiltration in the paravertebral muscles were all more prevalent among both males and females exhibiting SFTT at the C3 level that was above the defined cutoff value.