REVIEW PAPER
Exostosis of the external occipital protuberance as a sign of technological progress? – a review of recent reports
More details
Hide details
1
Zakład Diagnostyki Obrazowej i Radiologii Interwencyjnej, Wielospecjalistyczny Szpital Wojewódzki w Gorzowie Wlkp.,
Polska
2
Klinika Chorób Skórnych i Wenerycznych, Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny nr 1 im. prof. Tadeusza Sokołowskiego PUM, Szczecin, Polska
3
Oddział Endokrynologii, Diabetologii i Chorób Wewnętrznych, Dolnośląski Szpital Specjalistyczny im. T. Marciniaka –
Centrum Medycyny Ratunkowej, Wrocław, Polska
4
Dolnośląski Szpital Specjalistyczny im. T. Marciniaka – Centrum Medycyny Ratunkowej, Wrocław, Polska
5
Poradnia Lekarza POZ dla Dorosłych, Miejskie Centrum Medyczne im. dr. Karola Jonschera, Łódź, Polska
Corresponding author
Katarzyna Oktawia Skrzypczak
Klinika Chorób Skórnych i Wenerycznych, Uniwersytecki Szpital Kliniczny nr 1 im. prof. Tadeusza Sokołowskiego PUM, Szczecin, Siedlecka 2, 72-010, Police, Polska
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
The use of electronic digital devices has become an integral part of daily life in recent years. Remaining in a constant tilt while using tablets or smartphones, among other things, puts more stress on the skull and the attached structures, which can lead to the formation of an exostosis in the external occipital protuberance (EOP). The following review aims to present recent scientific reports on the enlargement of the external occipital protuberance in association with the use of electronic devices.
Abbreviated description of the state of knowledge:
Recently, considerably more publications have appeared on structural bone changes caused by non-physiological posture, which are being diagnosed in increasingly younger age groups. Studies show that occipital spur (OS) occurs more frequently and reaches larger dimensions in male, compared to the female population. This lesion can cause discomfort in many patients, especially while lying down. Therefore, it is worth bearing in mind during the diagnosis and treatment performed by doctors of various specialties.
Summary:
The mechanism of exostosis formation is still unclear and remains the subject of scientific research. It has been suggested that mechanical loading is important in the development of bone spurs regardless of the involvement of inflammatory or genetic factors. Education and activities promoting the maintenance of proper posture, especially in the young population, play an important preventive role.
REFERENCES (18)
2.
Muzaffar R, Alassi A, Mashal M et al. Incidence of 99Tc-MDP uptake in the external occipital protuberance in the pediatric population: the new normal? Am J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2023 Oct 20;13(5):225–229.
3.
Shahar D, Sayers MGL. A morphological adaptation? The prevalence of enlarged external occipital protuberance in young adults. J Anat. 2016 Aug;229(2):286–91. doi:10.1111/joa.12466.
4.
Shahar D, Sayers MGL. Prominent exostosis projecting from the occipital squama more substantial and prevalent in young adult than older age groups. Sci Rep. 2018 Feb 20;8(1):3354. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-21625-1.
5.
Shahar D, Evans J, Sayers MGL. Large enthesophytes in teenage skulls: Mechanical, inflammatory and genetic considerations. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2018 Mar;53:60–64. doi:10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2018.02.004.
6.
Çağlayan F, Güller H, Öncü E et al.The Frequency of Occipital Spurs in Relation to the Cephalic Index: An Anatomorphometric Cone Beam CT Study. Niger J Clin Pract. 2024 May 1;27(5):647–653. doi:10.4103/njcp.njcp_45_24.
7.
Cheng Q, Xiong X, Li Y, et al. Enlarged occipital spur and craniofacial morphology: a cephalometric analysis. Oral Radiol. 2023 Oct;39(4):743–749. doi:10.1007/s11282-023-00694-7.
8.
Srivastava M, Asghar A, Srivastava N, et al. An Anatomic Morphological Study of Occipital Spurs in Human Skulls. J Craniofac Surg. 2018 Jan;29(1):217–219. doi:10.1097/SCS.0000000000004205.
9.
Jacques T, Jaouen A, Kuchcinski G, et al. Enlarged External Occipital Protuberance in young French individuals' head CT: stability in prevalence, size and type between 2011 and 2019. Sci Rep. 2020 Apr 16;10(1):6518. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-63554-y.
10.
Porrino J, Sunku P, Wang A, et al. Exophytic External Occipital Protuberance Prevalence Pre- and Post-iPhone Introduction: A Retrospective Cohort. Yale J Biol Med. 2021 Mar 31;94(1):65–71.
11.
Kaur K, Gurnani B, Nayak S, et al. Digital Eye Strain – A Comprehensive Review. Ophthalmol Ther. 2022 Oct;11(5):1655–1680. doi:10.1007/s40123-022-00540-9.
12.
Eitivipart AC, Viriyarojanakul S, Redhead L. Musculoskeletal disorder and pain associated with smartphone use: A systematic review of biomechanical evidence. Hong Kong Physiother J. 2018 Dec;38(2):77–90. doi:10.1142/S1013702518300010.
13.
Grasser T, Borges Dario A, Parreira P, et al. Defining text neck: a scoping review. Eur Spine J. 2023 Oct;32(10):3463–3484. doi:10.1007/s00586-023-07821-2.
14.
Mercer SR, Bogduk N. Clinical anatomy of ligamentum nuchae. Clin Anat. 2003 Nov;16(6):484–93. doi:10.1002/ca.10121.
15.
Singh R. Bony tubercle at external occipital protuberance and prominent ridges. J Craniofac Surg. 2012 Nov;23(6):1873–4. doi:10.1097/SCS.0b013e31826c7d48.
16.
Jackson JL, Kuriyama A, Hayashino Y. Botulinum toxin A for prophylactic treatment of migraine and tension headaches in adults: a meta-analysis. JAMA. 2012 Apr 25;307(16):1736–45. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.505.
17.
Marshall RC, Abela C, Eccles S. Painful exostosis of the external occipital protuberance. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2015 Nov;68(11):e174–6. doi:10.1016/j.bjps.2015.06.013.
18.
Vaishya R, Agarwal AK, Azizi AT, et al. Haglund's Syndrome: A Commonly Seen Mysterious Condition. Cureus. 2016 Oct 7;8(10):e820. doi:10.7759/cureus.820.