Measuring the shape and dimensions of normal the bony structures in the craniovertebral junction from computed tomography images of the pediatric age group

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to contribute to the literature by determining the morphometric reference values of the bony structures in the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) from computer tomography (CT) images of the pediatric age group. METHODS: In this study, CT’s of 151 simple trauma patients aged between 3 and 15 years between 2016 and 2020 were evaluated. All CT examinations were performed using a 32-slice CT and included images of the skull base and C1-C2 junction. A total of 10 measurements were obtained from these images, including Wachenheim clivus canal angle (WCA), Welcher basal angle (WBA), Craniocervical tilt angle (CCT), power ratio (PR), Atlantodens interval, McRae Line (MRL), McRae - Dens distance, basion-dens interval (BDI), basion-axis interval (BAI), and atlantooccipital measurement (AOM). RESULTS: In comparison between gender groups, MRL (p=0.011) and AOM (p<0.001) measurements were found to be significantly higher in males. McRae-Dens distance, BDI, and AOM were significantly higher in patients aged 3–9 years (respectively, p=0005, p=0.003, p<0.001), and BAI (p=0.001) was significantly higher in patients aged 10–15 years. The McRae - Dens distance (p=0.119) was similar between patients with and without terminal ossicle in odontoid apex. But BDI of patients without terminal ossicle was significantly higher (p=0.048). All parameters, except the WCA, WBA, CCT, and PR, were statistically significantly correlated with the patient age (respectively, p=0.21, p=0.13, p=0.70, p=0.99). CONCLUSION: In this study, the morphometric reference values of the bone structures at the CVJ were determined from the CT images of the pediatric age group.