A morphometric study of the odontoid process using three-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT) reconstruction

Year 2019, Volume: 13 Issue: 2, 80 - 86, 31.08.2019

Ece Alım , Kerem Atalar İsmail Nadir Gulekon

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the
morphometric parameters of the odontoid process using 3-dimensional (3D)
reconstruction of computed tomography (CT) images and investigate the
applicability of using one or two screws for fixing odontoid process fractures.  

Methods: CT images of 100 patients (55 males, 45 females)
were transferred to the OsiriX program in DICOM format and converted into three
dimensional images using the 3D volume rendering feature. Male and female
groups were divided into 8–30, 31–50 and over 50 age groups and features of the
odontoid process were measured.  

Results: In the coronal plane, the minimum external
transverse length of the odontoid process (OPmin) was highest in males over 50
year of age with a value of 11.3 mm. In the sagittal plane, the combination of
anterior-posterior length of the odontoid process and vertebral body (OPAP) was
highest in the males over 50 (14.5 mm). The length of the line taken from the
anterior-inferior corner of the vertebral body to the top of odontoid process (LAIT)
was measured the highest measured as 45.2 mm in males over 50. These
measurements were higher in males than females.   

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that it is
possible to use a single 4.5 mm or 3.5 mm cannulated screw in the Turkish population.
The application of two 3.5 mm screws was found to be appropriate in 76% of
males and 62% of females.  

Keywords

CT, 3-dimensional reconstruction method, odontoid process, axis, fracture

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