MRI-Based Morphometric Analysis of the Posterior Cranial Fossa in Normal Korean Adults

Kim, Hyung Cheol; Song, Joon Ho; Chang, In Bok; Ahn, Jun Hyong; Kim, Ji Hee

Original article

Journal of the Korean Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery 2015;11(1):11-16.
Published online June 30, 2015.

MRI-Based Morphometric Analysis of the Posterior Cranial Fossa in Normal Korean Adults

Hyung Cheol Kim, Joon Ho Song, In Bok Chang, Jun Hyong Ahn, Ji Hee Kim

Department of Neurosurgery, Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Anyang, Korea

Abstract

Objective
The dimensions of the posterior cranial fossa (PCF) are clinically related to several neurological diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphology of the PCF in the Korean adult population.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective review of brain magnetic resonance images in 100 Korean adults (50 males, 50 females) aged 35-75 years. We compared our results with those from studies conducted in other countries.
Results
The mean clivus length, anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the foramen magnum, and supraocciput length were 44.9± 4.31, 38.9±4.11, and 40.8±5.61mm, respectively. The PCF height and AP diameter of the PCF were 64.5±4.01 and 70.0± 4.57mm, respectively. The tentorial angle and maximal diameter of the PCF were 102.01±8.16° and 103.23±5.40mm, respectively. In addition, we found that Koreans have a relatively wider AP diameter of the foramen magnum, shorter height of the PCF, and wider tentorial angle when compared with Western populations.
Conclusion
Normal ranges for various dimensions of the PCF in a Korean population were determined, which could serve as future references in a clinical setting. Further studies in a larger population are needed as there could be variations in these dimensions.

Key Words: Anatomy, Magnetic resonance imaging, Morphometry, Pathophysiology, Posterior cranial fossa.