Anatomical and Radiological study of the posterior cranial base in relationship to occipital condyles and Foramen magnum

Abstract

Detailed morphometric analysis is required for various surgical approaches in the craniovertebral junction. High mortality and morbidity are anticipated for the surgical procedures when undertaken without in-depth anatomical knowledge. With so much clinical importance in this area, our study will present a thorough understanding in terms of skull and CT values. The main aim of this study is to give the morphometric details of occipital condyles and foramen magnum in cadaveric skulls and CT scans. Seventy dried human skulls and 70 CT images on the three-dimensional volume-rendered reconstruction of the skull base was used for this study. The length and width of the occipital condyle of right and the left side was 22.21 ± 5.20 mm; 22.05 ± 4.83 mm; 12.57 ± 2.50 and 12.68 ± 2.92 mm respectively in cadaver skull.  The length and width of occipital condyles in CT scans for right and left side was 21.61 ± 3.09 mm; 21.58 ± 3.50 mm; 13.04 ± 1.58 mm and 13.13 ± 2.54 mm respectively. The Anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the foramen magnum in cadaveric skulls and CT images was 33.17 ± 7.23; 29.22 ± 6.17; 34.15 ± 2.88 and 28.14 ± 2.43 mm respectively. Each surgical approach and the radiological diagnostic procedures have their limitations. Moreover, analysis of cranial base dimensions of occipital condyles and foramen magnum can be considered as a reliable method for sex determination. Hence this study will a useful guide for surgeons, radiologists, anthropologists and forensic experts.