Abstract
Objectives: In this study, the aim is to investigate the changes in bone density and quality of the odontoid tip, neck and second cervical vertebral body located beneath the base of odontoid with advancing age.
Materials and Methods: Seven study groups were formed, each consisting of healthy individuals in the age ranges of 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, and 80 years and above. The odontoid bone structure of each individual was identified on cervical computed tomography images in both sagittal and coronal planes. Mean Hounsfield unit (HU) values were calculated for the odontoid tip, odontoid neck, and the C2 body portion below the odontoid base areas in both midsagittal and midcoronal planes. The HU values were compared and analyzed.
Results: There is a significant, negative correlation between age and the HU values measured in the sagittal plane for the odontoid tip, odontoid neck, and C2 vertebral body portion under the odontoid base (the correlation coefficients are -0.795 r, -0.766 r, and -0.789 r, respectively). Similarly, there is a significant, negative correlation between age and the HU values measured in the coronal plane for the odontoid tip, odontoid neck, and C2 vertebral body portion under the odontoid base (the correlation coefficients are -0.836 r, -0.680 r, and -0.802 r, respectively). These results indicate that as age increases, the quality of the odontoid bone decreases.
Conclusion: The assessment of bone quality through computed tomography, based on HU values, reveals a significant decrease in the bone quality of both the odontoid bone and C2 vertebral body with increasing age.