Cranio-vertebral transition assessment by magnetic resonance imaging in a sample of a northeast Brazilian population

ABSTRACT

Platybasia and basilar invagination are important alterations of the cranial-vertebral transition. Neuroimaging-based platybasia parameters include the Welcker basal angle, distance between the apex of the odontoid and Chamberlain’s line, and the clivus-canal angle. This study aimed to measure and correlate these parameters in a sample from northeast Brazil.

Methods

Cross-sectional analysis of craniometric parameters from individuals submitted to magnetic resonance at an outpatient imaging center between 2011 and 2012.

Results

Of 181 analyzed cases, the Welcker basal angle averaged 128.96º (SD 6.51), median distance between apex of the odontoid and Chamberlain’s line was 2.27 mm (IQR -1.23–4.47) and the median clivus-canal angle was 150.5º (IQR 143.2–157.3). The Welcker basal angle was inversely correlated to the clivus-canal angle, and correlated to the distance between the apex of the odontoid and Chamberlain’s line.

Conclusion

There was a tendency to platibasia, basilar invagination and narrowing of the cranio-vertebral transition.

RESUMO

Platibasia e invaginação basilar são importantes alterações da transição craniovertebral. Existem parâmetros importantes obtidos pela neuroimagem, como o ângulo basal de Welcker, distância do ápice do odontoide à linha de Chamberlain e o ângulo clivo-canal. Este estudo procurou medir e correlacioná-los em uma amostra do Nordeste Brasileiro.

Métodos

Estudo transversal com medidas de indivíduos submetidos a ressonância magnética craniana em um centro de diagnóstico por imagem entre 2011 e 2012.

Resultados

Dos 181 casos analisados, o ângulo basal de Welcker teve média 128.96º (DP 6.51), a distância do ápice do odontoide à linha de Chamberlain obteve mediana 2.27 mm (IIQ -1.23–4.47) e o ângulo clivo-canal mediano foi 150.5º (IIQ 143.2–157.3). O ângulo basal de Welcker foi inversamente correlacionado com o ângulo clivo-canal e diretamente correlacionado com a distância do ápice do odontoide à linha de Chamberlain.

Conclusão

Houve uma tendência a platibasia, invaginação basilar e estreitamento da transição craniovertebral, que poderiam ser influenciados pela natureza multirracial e por fatores antropológicos da população estudada.

platybasia - magnetic resonance imaging - cephalometry

platibasia - imagem por ressonância magnética - circunferência craniana

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