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Table 1 Fusion quality scale

From: Speed and quality of interbody fusion in porous bioceramic Al2O3 and polyetheretherketone cages for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: a comparative study

Grade

Definition

CT imaging

(Fig. 4)

I—complete fusion

Bone bridging is visible bilaterally on CT scans in the coronal plane, eventually ventrally or dorsally of a cage in the sagittal plane

A, B

II—incomplete bipolar fusion

Fusion in the area of a cage is presented bilaterally, but it is not completed. Eventually, radiological signs of bone consolidation between the vertebra endplate and the surface of a cage are presented bipolarly

C, D

III—unipolar fusion

Fusion is presented, but only unilaterally or ventrally or dorsally, not all-around the cage

E, F

IV—no fusion (non-union)

No signs of fusion in the area of the cage observed

G, H