Prevertebral space is a space in the neck region.
Anatomically, it is defined by the anterior part of the cervical spine and the deep layer of the deep cervical fascia running between the transverse processes of the spine.
The prevertebral space extends from the skull base into the mediastinum and ends at the level of the fourth thoracic vertebra.
The prevertebral space contains
- The prevertebral muscles (longus colli and longus capitis)
- Vertebral vessels
- Scalene muscles
- Phrenic nerve
- proximal part of the brachial plexus.
On lateral cervical spine xray, the normal prevertebral space looks like this.
Nrmal dimension in adult are 4 mm at C3 level. Greater than 7 mm value are definitely abnormal.
In between a clinical correlation must be sought.
Prevertebral space may get enlarged due to pathology of cervical spine.
The conditions causing enlargement of prevertebral space are
- Trauma of cervical spine
- Vertebral osteomyelitis
- Spondylodiscitis
- Vertebral metastasis.
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Posterior spread of squamous cell carcinoma head and neck
- Cchordoma
- Primary tumours arising from tissues belonging to this space.
To know the enlargement lateral view of cervical spine or computed tomogram should be done.
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