Radiographic evidence of cranial bone mobility

Cranio. 2002 Jan;20(1):34-8. doi: 10.1080/08869634.2002.11746188.

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective chart review was to determine if external manipulation of the cranium alters selected parameters of the cranial vault and base that can be visualized and measured on x-ray. Twelve adult patient charts were randomly selected to include patients who had received cranial vault manipulation treatment with a pre- and post-treatment x-ray taken with the head in a fixed positioning device. The degree of change in angle between various specified cranial landmarks as visualized on x-ray was measured. The mean angle of change measured at the atlas was 2.58 degrees, at the mastoid was 1.66 degrees, at the malar line was 1.25 degrees, at the sphenoid was 2.42 degrees, and at the temporal line was 1.75 degrees. 91.6% of patients exhibited differences in measurement at 3 or more sites. This study concludes that cranial bone mobility can be documented and measured on x-ray.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cephalometry / instrumentation
  • Cephalometry / methods
  • Cervical Atlas / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Manipulation, Orthopedic*
  • Mastoid / diagnostic imaging
  • Mastoid / physiology
  • Movement
  • Observer Variation
  • Parietal Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Parietal Bone / physiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Radiography
  • Regression Analysis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skull / diagnostic imaging*
  • Skull / physiology
  • Skull Base / diagnostic imaging
  • Skull Base / physiology
  • Sphenoid Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Sphenoid Bone / physiology
  • Statistics as Topic
  • Temporal Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Temporal Bone / physiology
  • Zygoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Zygoma / physiology