MRI MORPHOMETRIC PARAMETERS OF THE INTACT CRANIOVERTEBRAL JUNCTION

Objective. To describe morphometric parameters obtained from MRI scans of the intact craniovertebral junction. Material and Methods. The study included 50 patients without any clinical symptoms and radiological abnormalities of the spine and spinal cord. The age of the examined patients was 21–30 years to assure a normal anatomy. All patients were examined using MRI-tomograph with 0.2 T magnetizing force of specialized receiving-transmitting coil designed for the brain investigation. Results. Original method for scanning developed on the basis of standard methods of MRI examination of the cervical spine and brain allows obtaining maximum possible information on the craniovertebral junction status during minimally short time. Morphometric parameters were measured on MR tomography scans, compared with X-ray evidences in literature. Besides, we defined sizes of structures which were not visualized on X-rays. Conclusion. The advantages of MR tomography used in craniovertebral junction diagnosis, besides opportunity to visualize soft tissues and cerebrospinal fluid, include the absence of necessity for a special positioning of a patient and absence of radiation load. Data of MRI scan measurement correspond to those obtained from lateral and direct projections on craniogramms. In some cases MRI examination does not only complement radiological one, but replaces it.