Cranio-vertebral transition assessment by magnetic resonance imaging in a sample of a northeast Brazilian population.

Methods Cross-sectional analysis of craniometric parameters from individuals submitted to magnetic resonance at an outpatient imaging center between 2011 and 2012. Results Of 181 analyzed cases, the Welcker basal angle averaged 128.96º (SD 6.51), median distance between apex of the odontoid and Chamberlain's line was 2.27 mm (IQR -1.23-4.47) and the median clivus-canal angle was 150.5º (IQR 143.2-157.3). The Welcker basal angle was inversely correlated to the clivus-canal angle, and correlated to the distance between the apex of the odontoid and Chamberlain's line. Conclusion There was a tendency to platibasia, basilar invagination and narrowing of the cranio-vertebral transition.