Evaluation of Craniovertebral Junction Anatomy by Gender and Age in the Anatolian Population
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2023
Yazarlar: Asrin Nalbant
Eurasian Journal of Medical Investigation, Uluslararası, 2023, ss 35-42
Özet
T he craniovertebral junction (CVJ) is the bony transition between the skull and the cervical vertebra.Condylus occipitalis (Co), atlas (C1), axis (C2), is a biomechanical complex joint containing ligaments, spinal cord, cranial nerves, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels.Each component contributes different mechanical properties.The ligaments in between provide stability and protect the Co-C1 and C2 articulation from neural damage.[1] CVJ is more mobile than other spinal segments.This junction is a structure that contains vital nerves and vessels and protects these structures.[2] Congenital, hereditary, acquired anomalies, traumatic, neoplastic, and infectious diseases seen in CVJ may cause instability and affect neural structures.As a result of such pathologies, the dens axis may move towards the foramen magnum and press on the brain stem.This is one of the most dangerous pathologies in the cervical vertebrae.[3,4] Pressure can cause arrhythmia, blood pressure changes, respiratory depression, and sudden death by damaging vital centers.[5] When Dens axis pressure anterior spinal artery, vertebrobasilar insufficiency, transient ischemic attack, or neurological deficits may be seen.[6] Their presence 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, pB-C2 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.