Turkish Neurosurgery 2024 , Vol 34 , Num 4
Computed Tomography-Based Occipital Condyle Morphometric Analysis in the Turkish Population: A Trajectory Analysis for Optimal Screw Selection
Kemal PAKSOY1,Idris AVCI1,Gulsah OZTURK2,Taha ALBAS3
1Memorial Hospital, Spine Center, Istanbul, Türkiye
2Memorial Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Türkiye
3University of Health Sciences, Bakirkoy Mazhar Osman Mental Health Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Türkiye
DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.44323-23.3 AIM: To provide a comprehensive analysis for accurate screw size selection and insertion angle during surgical procedures.

MATERIAL and METHODS: In this retrospective study, a total of 120 patients participated, resulting in the analysis of 240 occipital condyles using coronal, sagittal, and axial planes on CT scans. Statistical evaluation was performed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The mean sagittal length and height were measured at 17.2 ± 1.7 mm and 9.1 ± 1.5 mm, respectively. The average condyle angle, a crucial factor for screw insertion, was assessed at 38.0 ± 5.5 mm in length, 19.6 ± 2.6 mm in width, and 9.5 ± 1.0 mm in height. Condyle height in the anterior and posterior hypoglossal canals was measured at 10.8 ± 1.4 mm and 9.0 ± 1.4 mm, respectively. Screw angle and condyle width were statistically smaller in females compared to the male population.

CONCLUSION: The OC is a significant anatomical structure in the craniovertebral junction, playing a crucial role in stability. The obtained morphological values are applicable to the Turkish population and offer statistically significant findings for preoperative planning involving occipital condyle screw instrumentation. Keywords : Occipital condyle, Occiput-cervical junction, Morphometric trajectory analysis, Occipital condyle screws

Corresponding author : Idris AVCI, mail.idrisavci@gmail.com