2018 AANS Annual Scientific Meeting-555. Biomechanical Finite Element Analysis of the Developing Craniocervical Junction

555. Biomechanical Finite Element Analysis of the Developing Craniocervical Junction

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Dr. Broffman discusses the biomechanical finite element analysis of the developing cranio-cervical junction. He mentions that there is limited understanding of the biomechanical properties of this junction, and little data supports the notion of age-dependent maturation processes within the bony structures. To explore this hypothesis, finite element modeling was used to compare three validated models of normal pediatric cranio-cervical junctions of various ages with a normal adult model. Forces were applied to each model, and the results showed an age-dependent increase in stiffness. The data also had good correlation with previous catabaric spine models. Further work is needed to explain discrepancies in catabaric and finite element force data.

Asset Caption

Douglas L. Brockmeyer, MD, FAANS

Keywords

biomechanical finite element analysis

developing cranio-cervical junction

age-dependent maturation processes

finite element modeling

stiffness increase