Morphometric Analysis of the Occipital Condyle and Its Surgical Importance.

Abstract

The Occipital Condyle (OC) is an integral component of craniovertebral region which is predisposed to a wide array of traumatic, degenerative and neoplastic diseases. Frequent surgical interventions of OC are required for successful management of these conditions. Hence a meticulous anatomical knowledge of the OC is vital but variability in morphometric dimensions exist amongst different races and hinder the standardization of measurements. The aim of this study was to present a morphometric reference database for OC of the Indian population and enable comparisons with other populations. The study was performed on 228 OC of 114 adult human skulls. Linear measurements of the OC were taken with the help of digital Vernier's Calliper and angular measurements were determined with software Image J. Mean and standard deviation of the morphometric parameters taken into account were analysed. The comparison of morphometric dimensions of the right and left sides was carried out using Student's t-test and p-value was calculated. The morphometric analysis of the OC established that mean width was larger (12.97 mm) in Indians population when compared to other races. The anterior and posterior intercondylar distances as well as the distances between the tips of OC and opisthion and basion were observed to be shorter in Indians. We found a significant difference (p=0.01) among the distance between Posterior tip of Occipital Condyle (POC) and basion of the right and left sides. The sagittal condylar angle and sagittal intercondylar angle were found to be greater in our study when compared to other researchers. There existed a highly significant difference (p=0.001) between the sagittal condylar angles of the right and left sides. The present morphometric study would be valuable for the successful instrumentation of the OC as wider and ventrally oriented OC as well as smaller intercondylar distances may pose challenge to the surgeons during condylectomy. The data of present study offer anatomical reference to the surgeons and would be helpful in designing implants for the OC.