Abstract
The present study investigated analyze some morphometric data about occipital condyles (OCs), hypoglossal canals (HCs) and foramen magnum (FM) for safety transcondylar surgical approach, and to compare the Egyptian skull measurements with that of the other races. A total of 75 dry skulls of unknown sex which were randomly chosen from the archives of Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University were used with exclusion of the extremely deformed or damaged. The parameters were measured by digital Vernier calipers with 0.01 mm precision and a protractor. Statistical analysis of data - one way analysis of variance- was done using unpaired Student's t-test. Results indicated no statistical significant differences between the right and left sides of measured parameters. The morphometric analysis of the OC established that mean width & length was larger (14.8 & 22.9 mm) in Egyptian population when compared to other races. According to the parameters of the HCs, the mean length of right and left ones were 11.84 mm and 11.8 mm respectively, while their mean angles with the sagittal plane were found to be 31.8° and 31.6° respectively. The mean diameter of the intracranial end of the right HC was 6.24 mm and of the left one was 6.04 mm, on the other hand, the mean diameters of the extracranial ends were 6.18 mm and 6.04 mm respectively. Regarding the parameters of FM, the mean length and width were 35 mm and 29.4 mm respectively. On the other hand, the mean distance of right mastoid process to the nearest point of FM was 34.72 mm, while the left one located at a mean distance of 35.2 mm from FM. 40% of skulls studied exhibited an ovoid foramen magnum as the foramen magnum index was > 1.2 but 60% of our samples were ˂ 1.2 which were asymmetrical in shape. We conclude that careful radiological analysis of the craniocervical junction is required before surgery to prevent inadvertent complications such as hemorrhage, atlantooccipital instability and injury to major structures passing through foramen magnum. Our outcomes will be useful for safe surgery in craniocervical region in Egypt.
Highlights
IntroductionThe craniocervical junction (CVJ) is defined as the occiput, atlas, and axis
The craniocervical junction (CVJ) is defined as the occiput, atlas, and axis. It includes the area between the clivus to the second cervical vertebra and bounded laterally by jugular foramen (JF), occipital condyle (OC) and the hypoglossal canal (HC) [1]
Regarding the distance of overriding of the OCs on the foramen magnum (FM), our samples showed that the mean of these distances were 6.22 mm for the right OC and 7.3 mm for the left one
Summary
The craniocervical junction (CVJ) is defined as the occiput, atlas, and axis. It includes the area between the clivus to the second cervical vertebra and bounded laterally by jugular foramen (JF), occipital condyle (OC) and the hypoglossal canal (HC) [1]. This region mainly houses medulla oblongata, cervicomedullary junction, upper cervical part of spinal cord, multiple cranial nerves, and many important blood and lymphatic vessels that supply the head and neck. FM is found at the center of the skull base giving a passage for many vital structures such as the meninges, medulla oblongata, roots of the accessory
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