ANATOMO-RADIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE CRANIOC ERVICAL REGION IN 60 CHILEAN YOUNG-ADULTS

Background: Twenty to thirty percent of the population has craniomandi bular anomalies, that are closely related to craniocervical disorders. Aim: To evaluate the craniocervical region fro a radiological point o f view in healthy young adults. Subjects and methods: A lateral head a nd neck radiological study, using the technique described by Rocabado, was done to 60 Chilean young adults, aged 19 to 24 years old. Results : The cervical curvature was altered in 70% of subjects (kyphosis in 3 5%, straightening in 33.3% and lordosis in 1.7%). Sixty eight percent had alteration of the hyoid triangle (in the plane in 31.7% and invert ed in 37%). The distance between CO and C1 was altered in 48% (less th an 4 mm in 15% and more than 9 mm in 33%). An altered posteroinferior angle was observed in 40% (less than 96 degrees in 30% and over 106 de grees in 10%). Conclusion: a high percentage of alterations of the cra niocervical region was detected in healthy adults.