Turkish Neurosurgery, cilt.16, sa.1, ss.14-18, 2006 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: Many surgical procedures are performed to decompress or to stabilise anterior C2. The aim of this study was to analyze the C2 body and the odontoid process (OP) in 80 dry C2 vertebrae from the Turkish population. Material and Methods: 15 parameters were measured using a Vernier caliper accurate to 0.1 mm and a goniometer in 80 dry C2 vertebrae. Parameters include height and tranverse diameter of the OP and the anterior and posterior parts of the C2 body. Results: The anterior height of the OP was 15.5 mm, the posterior height of the OP was 15.4 mm; the anterior height of C2 (body and OP) was 38.7 mm, and the posterior height of C2 was 33.2 mm. The anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the narrowest part of the OP base was 11.1 mm; the largest AP diameter of the middle part of the OP was 11.3 mm. The transverse diameter of the narrowest part of the OP base was 9.3 mm, and the largest transverse diameter in the middle part of the OP was 10.5 mm. The AP diameter of the inferior surface of the C2 body was 15.8 mm and its transverse diameter was 18.1 mm. The height and transverse diameter of the OP-C1 facet were 10.5 mm and 8.8 mm, respectively. Discussion: Our findings are parallel with previously reported results. Measured morphometric data are thought to be helpful for spine surgeons during transoral odontoidectomy and C2-OP fixation procedures. However, because of individual variations, each case should be analyzed radiologically in the preoperative period.