Letter to Editor - Congenital exostoses of the cervical vertebrae

Any osseous disease may involve the spinous processes. Since the tips of the spinal processes are palpable, their examination is sometimes of great diagnostic value. This applies not only to percussion pain, but also to other disorders of bone tissue which can be demonstrated by pressure and percussion. The superficial position of the tips readily permits a biopsy and has significance in the localization of vertebral levels. Congenital anomalies of the spinous processes might cause a problem in identification on the roentgenogram and preoperative localization.