Morphometric Evaluation of Occipital Artery

Abstract

Objective: Occipital artery anatomy should be well known in order to minimize complications that may occur in the occipital artery, which is closely adjacent to this nerve, during greater occipital nerve blockade. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the morphometric relationship of the occipital artery with neighboring anatomical structures in order to prevent damage during clinical applications. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out using CTA images of the head and neck region of patients who applied to Balikesir University Medical Faculty Training and Research Hospital for various reasons between 2015 and 2021. In the study, CTA images of 85 individuals aged 35-63 years were evaluated morphometrically using Radiant DICOM viewer 64-bit computer software. The obtained data were transferred to SPSS Version 25 software and analyzed quantitatively. Results: According to the results obtained from the study, no significant difference was found between the variables and genders. As the age of the individual increased, it was observed that the left occipital artery was located more inferolateral to the external occipital protuberance. As a result of the data obtained, a negative correlation was observed between the closest distance between the right OA-ML and the right EOP-ML and the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. Conclusion: In line with the average values obtained as a result, it is thought that an injection to the central point of the triangular area, which is formed as a result of combining the reference points in the posterior occiput, may be safer in order to protect the occipital artery.