Abstract
Introduction The Cervico-capital rotation process involves important joints with respect to the
neurological field. Among these joints, the atlanto-occipital joint accounts for 40%
of the total rotation process and its anatomical changes may affect the joint, i.e
when the synostosis of both bones occurs. This anomaly has a reported incidence in
the world population of 0.14% to 0.75%. To determine whether this incidence range
also corresponds to the Colombian population, atlanto-occipital fusion in Colombian
patients was studied.
Materials and Methods The presence of atlanto-occipital fusion was assessed in a random sample of 105 skulls
of a Colombian population. Morphometric features were evaluated by using a Vernier
caliper.
Results Out of the total sample two cases of atlanto-occipital fusion were identified. One
of them exhibited a bilateral fusion between the anterior arch of the foramen magnum
and the lateral masses of the atlas; the other one exhibited a left hemisynostosis
that compromises the anterior arch foramen magnum and left lateral mass of atlas.
The overall frequency of occurrence was 1.9%.
Conclusion A greater incidence of atlanto-occipital fusion was found in contrast to the range
of world incidence reported in the literature.
Keywords
occipital bone - atlas - atlanto-occipital - synostosis
