Anatomy and Cell Biology

Korean Association of Anatomists (대한해부학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Three ipsilateral paracondylar processes with other skull base variations: case report

  • Annie Syed (Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane University School of Medicine) ;
  • Lukasz Olewnik (Department of Anatomical Dissection and Donation, Chair of Anatomy and Histology, Medical University of Lodz) ;
  • Georgi P. Georgiev (Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University Hospital Queen Giovanna-ISUL, Medical University of Sofia) ;
  • Joe Iwanaga (Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane University School of Medicine) ;
  • Aaron S. Dumont (Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane University School of Medicine) ;
  • R. Shane Tubbs (Department of Neurosurgery, Tulane University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2022.01.08
  • Accepted : 2022.02.01
  • Published : 2022.06.30
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Variations of the skull base can affect surgical approaches and must be considered when viewing and interpreting radiological imaging. Here, we report a unique collection of bony anatomical variations found on a single adult skull. Three bony excrescences from the occipital bone were identified in the paracondylar region. The smallest of these processes was 7 mm long and was just medial to the mastoid process of the temporal bone and posterior to the styloid process. One bony process was attached to the occipital condyle and was 12 mm in length. The longest of these processes was 17 mm long and arose from the jugular process of the occipital bone. Paracondylar processes can be symptomatic. Knowledge of the bony variations at the skull base is important to those who operate in this region or review and interpret radiological imaging.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors sincerely thank those who donated their bodies to science so that anatomical research could be performed. Results from such research can potentially increase mankind's overall knowledge that can then improve patient care. Therefore, these donors and their families deserve our highest gratitude [6].

References

  1. Nolet PS, Friedman L, Brubaker D. Paracondylar process: a rare cause of craniovertebral fusion - a case report. J Can Chiropr Assoc 1999;43:229-35.
  2. Schumacher M, Yilmaz E, Iwanaga J, Oskouian R, Tubbs RS. Paramastoid process: literature review of its anatomy and clinical implications. World Neurosurg 2018;117:261-3.
  3. McCall T, Coppens J, Couldwell W, Dailey A. Symptomatic occipitocervical paracondylar process. J Neurosurg Spine 2010;12:9-12.
  4. Keskil S, Gozil R, Calguner E. Common surgical pitfalls in the skull. Surg Neurol 2003;59:228-31; discussion 231.
  5. Hauser G, De Stefano GF. Epigenetic variants of the human skull. Stuttgart: Schweizerbart; 1989.
  6. Iwanaga J, Singh V, Ohtsuka A, Hwang Y, Kim HJ, Morys J, Ravi KS, Ribatti D, Trainor PA, Sanudo JR, Apaydin N, Sengul G, Albertine KH, Walocha JA, Loukas M, Duparc F, Paulsen F, Del Sol M, Adds P, Hegazy A, Tubbs RS. Acknowledging the use of human cadaveric tissues in research papers: recommendations from anatomical journal editors. Clin Anat 2021;34:2-4.