Characterization of Occipital Condyles in Sudanese using Computerized Tomography

Alamin Musa Salih, Caroline Edward Ayad^* and Elsafi Ahmed Abdalla

College of Medical Radiological Science, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan

*Corresponding Author E-mail: carolineayad@yahoo.com, carolineayad@sustech.edu; Tel: 249-922-044-764

Accepted 17 December, 2014

Abstract

The transcondylar approach has been used in surgeries to access lesions in areas close to the foramen magnum (FM) and is performed directly through the occipital condyle (OC). The objective of this study is to characterize the anatomical variations related to the (OC) with the relation to the morphometric parameters of the (FM) and head dimensions using computed tomography (CT). A total of 123 Sudanese patients (75 males and 48 females) with mean ages were 39.89±15.75, 41.02±14.32 years respectively were examined using reformatted axial CT and three-dimensional CT. Characteristics of the head, and measures related to the (FM) and right and left occipital condyles were examined. The results showed no significant difference between the measurements obtained in the right and in left sides. The (OC) morphometric parameters had significant relationship with (FM) antroposterior and transverse diameters. The study revealed a significant difference between the two genders with no significant relations between (OC) and head characteristics. The data obtained by three-dimensional CT images are important in assessing the morphometric variations of (OC) for Sudanese patients. As the (OC) is the main bony eminences impeded the anterolateral surface of the brainstem, neurosurgeons should be familiar with variations of the (OC) and structures surrounding the (FM) in order to achieve the safest surgical procedure.

Keywords: Foramen magnum, Occipital condyle, Anatomical variations