Evaluation of Craniovertebral Junction Anatomy by Gender and Age in the Anatolian Population
Asrin Nalbant1, Ozden Bedre Duygu1, Halide Temelci1, Zulal Oner1, Serkan Oner21Department of Anatomy, Bakırçay University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Türkiye, 2Department of Radiology, Bakırçay University Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Türkiye
Objectives: The craniovertebral junction is a complex transition area between the skull and the cervical vertebra. This study aimed to evaluate the typical structure of the craniovertebral junction according to gender and age on computerized tomography (CT). Methods: In the study, 100 (50 female, 50 male) individuals between the ages of 25-45 who applied to Bakırçay University Çiğli Training and Research Hospital between 2018 and 2022 and underwent head and neck CT scans were evaluated. Fourteen craniometric measurements were made on the sagittal plane. Results: In women, cervical lordosis angle, anterior atlantodental length, posterior atlantodental length, McRae line, dens axis length, Wackenheim clivus canal angle, craniocervical tilt angle, foramen magnum width, clivus length, pBC2 line length, dens axis width and dens axis length values were found to be statistically significantly lower than men (p<0.05). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found between the Powers ratio and age groups. Conclusion: Craniovertebral junction anatomy and detecting anomalies are essential for radiologists and neurosurgeons, and CT is a suitable method to evaluate this junction. We think these findings obtained from healthy individuals with CT imaging will guide the evaluation of craniovertebral junction anomalies. Keywords: Craniometry, Cranium, Craniovertebral junction, Cobbs angle, McRae line
Cite This Article
Nalbant A, Bedre Duygu O, Temelci H, Oner Z, Oner S. Evaluation of Craniovertebral Junction Anatomy by Gender and Age in the Anatolian Population. EJMI. 2024; 8(1): 35-42
Corresponding Author: Asrin Nalbant