MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF POSTERIOR FOSSA AND CRANIAL- VERTEBRAL JUNCTION IN PEDIATRIC CHIARI 1 MALFORMATION

Abstract

Introduction: Chiari malformations (CMs) are a group of disorders defined by anatomic anomalies of the cerebellum, brainstem, and cranial-vertebral junction (CVJ). We aimed to reveal the differences between pediatric CM-1 and control group according to volume, length and angle of cranium and CVJ.Material and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated CM-1 patients who were admitted to our hospital between January 2012 and February 2016. Control group was choice from patients who did not have any intracranial pathology. We made necessary volume, length and angle evaluations with the help of special radiological programs.Results: We evaluated 27 patients; 12 CM-1 cases and 15 control cases. Mean age in patient group was 12,66 ± 4,41 (2-17 years) years. Mean age in control group is 10,40 ± 4,62 (4-17 years) years. We found statistically significant in comparison of CD angle (p: 0,007) and C-SO angle (p: 0,017).Conclusion: There is no difference between pediatric CM-1 patients and healthy group according to intracranial volumes, length and angle of cranial-vertebral junction. Clive- dental angle is narrower in pediatric CM-1 patients. This sharp passage leads to brain stem compression symptoms.Keywords: Morphometry, posterior fossa, cranial-vertebral junction, Chiari malformation, type 1