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European Spine Journal

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01-09-2017 | Original Article

Occipitocervical inclination: new radiographic parameter of neutral occipitocervical position

Authors: Seong-Dae Yoon, Chang-Hwa Lee, Jiwoon Lee, Ji-Yeon Choi, Woo-Kie Min

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 9/2017

Abstract

Purpose

To describe occipitocervical inclination (OCI), a new parameter that could compensate for defects in existing radiographic parameters, and to define occipitocervical neutral position.

Methods

Neutral, flexion, and extension lateral cervical spine radiographs of 200 patients (100 male and 100 female patients) judged to be normal were analyzed. The mean age was 45.19 years (range 11–74; 42.84 for male and 47.53 for female patients). For OCI, the angle formed by the line connecting the posterior border of the C4 vertebral body and McGregor’s line was measured. Occipitocervical angle (OCA) and occipitocervical distance (OCD) were measured and compared with OCI.

Results

OCI on standard, neutral lateral cervical radiographs was 102.51° ± 8.87°. There was no significant gender difference in neutral OCI 102.81° ± 7.93° for male and 102.21° ± 9.74° for female patients (P = 0.631). The mean neutral OCA was 38.69° ± 9.23°, and the mean neutral OCD was 22.98 ± 5.10 mm. Pearson’s correlation coefficient for the value of the cervical lordosis angle and that of neutral OCI was r = 0.274 (P < 0.001). Intraclass correlation coefficient values for inter- and intraobserver reliability for OCI were significantly higher than those for OCA (P < 0.001) and tended to be higher than those for OCD (P = 0.087).

Conclusions

OCI is a very useful parameter for the determination of neutral position during occipitocervical fusion for patients with altered C0–C2 anatomy.

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Title: Occipitocervical inclination: new radiographic parameter of neutral occipitocervical position
Authors: Seong-Dae Yoon
Chang-Hwa Lee
Jiwoon Lee
Ji-Yeon Choi
Woo-Kie Min
Publication date: 01-09-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 9/2017
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-017-5161-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Occipitocervical inclination: new radiographic parameter of neutral occipitocervical position

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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