ABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective computed tomography (CT)-based morphometric study of 82 occipital condyles in the Indian population, focusing on critical morphometric dimensions with relation to placing condylar screws. PURPOSE: This study focused on determining the feasibility of placing occipital condylar screws in an Indian population using CT anatomical morphometric data. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: The occipital condylar screw is a novel technique being explored as one of the options in occipitocervical stabilization. Sex and ethnic variations in anatomical structures may restrict the feasibility of this technique in some populations. To the best of our knowledge, there are no CT-based data on an Indian population that assess the feasibility of occipital condylar screws. METHODS: We measured the dimensions of 82 occipital condyles in 41 adults on coronal, sagittal, and axial reconstructed CT images. The differences were noted between the right and left sides and also between males and females. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test, with a p-value of < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Mean sagittal length and height were 17.2±1.7 mm and 9.1±1.5 mm, respectively. Mean condylar angle/screw angle was 38.0°±5.5° from midline, with mean condylar length and width of 19.6±2.6 mm and 9.5±1.0 mm, respectively. Average coronal height on the anterior and posterior hypoglossal canal was 10.8±1.4 mm and 9.0±1.4 mm, respectively. The values in females were significantly lower than those in males, except for screw angle and condylar width. Based on Lin et al.'s proposed criteria, eight of 82 condyles were not suitable for condylar screws. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary CT morphometry data of the occipital condyle shows that condylar screws are anatomically feasible in a large portion of the Indian population. However, because a small number of population may not be suitable for this technique, meticulous study of preoperative anatomy using detailed CT data is advised.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the optimal trajectory of posterior occipital condyle screw fixation via radiological and anatomical study.Methods Twelve adult craniocervical junction complete specimens were selected.The length,width and height of occipital condyle and the inclination angle of the longest axis were measured by CT scanning and reconstruction.Subsequently,occipital condyle screws were inserted with reference to CT measurements.After screw fixation,accuracy and safety of the placement of occipital condyle screw were verified by gross observation and CT scanning.Results Preoperative measurements of height and width of the occipital condyles indicated the placement of 4.0 mm bicortical screws was secure.Left vertebral artery horizontal sections of 2 specimens were slightly pressed without damage.CT scanning identified no damage to the inner or outer wall of the occipital condyle and the hypoglossal canal.Trajectory parameters between the right and left sides were slightly different,but no significant difference was observed (P ＞ 0.05).Average screw channel length and inclination angle were (20.8 ±2.6)mm and (37.1 ± 4.7)°respectively.Angle between screw and skull base tangent was observed as (8.5 ± 1.7) °.Distance between screw axis and hypoglossal canal was observed as (3.1 ± 1.1) mm.And the distance averaged (4.6 ± 1.4) mm between occipital condyle screw entry point and skull base and (6.1 ± 1.5) mm between entry point and inside edge of the occipital condyle.Conclusion Occipital condyle can be used as a new alternative fixed point in occipitocervical fusion.