| الوصف: |
Objectives:Surgical approaches to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) are associated with a high mortality and morbidity when undertaken without detailed morphologic analysis of the region. In spite of the clinical importance of this area, there are only few anatomical reports are available in the literature. The aim of the present study was to present the detailed anatomy of the foramen magnum (FM) and occipital condyle (OC) for surgical approaches to the CVJ region. Methods:Morphometric analysis was performed on 100 dried human occipital bones of unknown sex and age from Turkish population. Four parameters were measured for FM and eleven parameters for OC. FM shapes were classified. FM index was calculated. Results:The anteroposterior and transverse diameters of FM were 35,17±2,94 mm and 29,73±2,53 mm, respectively. Anterior and posterior intercondylar distances were 22,47±2,98 mm and 41,54±3,78 mm. Anteroposterior and transverse diameters of OC were 23,47±2,44 mm and 11,40±1,41 mm. Sagittal intercondylar angle was 31,72±3,48 degrees on the right and 33,29±3,25 degrees on the left side. OC anterior tip-opisthion distance was 39,62±3,19 mm on the right and 39,21±3,72 mm on the left side; there was a significant difference between the right and left side for these two parameters (p<0.05). FM was classified into seven morphological shapes; tetragonal shape was the most commonly observed (24%). Conclusion:This study gives a detailed morphological analysis of the CVJ, showing that most of the CVJ parameters are variable. Each surgical approach to this area has advantages, disadvantages, limitations and potential risks. Anatomical structures must be well-known and clinical and radiological diagnostic procedures like plain radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imagining should be performed before surgery. |
