OBJECTIVES: to evaluate through computerized tomography the morphometric parameters of the odontoid process related to its internal fixation. METHODS: computed tomographic (CT) scans of 55 patients were analyzed. There were 24 men (47%) and 31 women. Mean age was 42.05 years (± 15.82). Patients with tumors, infections, fractures, congenital malformations, and advanced arthritis were excluded. The following measurements were recorded: 1 - estimated implant length (SIL), screw angle (SA), minimal antero-posterior diameter (Min APD), and minimal transverse diameter (Min TD). Statistical analysis was performed using Student´s t test to compare the results among male and female patients. RESULTS: the main value of the SIL was measured as 39.95 mm ± 3.44 to the total population of this study. The main value of the SA was 60.91º ± 4.06. The Min APD was 9.05 mm ± 0.88, and the Min TD was 10.35 mm ± 1.04. The mean dimensions of SIL and Min TD in the population was significantly larger in men than in women, while others parameters presented no difference among both sex in the studied population. Of the 55 patients 39% presented Min TD < 9mm, the critical diameter for the placement of two 3.5 mm cortical screws with tapping. CONCLUSIONS: in our population, men presented significantly bigger values of SIL and Min APD than that found in women.
Odontoid process; Tomography; spiral computed; Fracture fixation; internal; Orthopedic fixation devices
