Powers ratio

Last revised by Mohd Ashyiraff Ilani Bin Ismail on 27 Oct 2024

The Powers ratio is a measurement of the relationship of the bones forming the foramen magnum (basion and opisthion) to the atlas, used in the diagnosis of atlanto-occipital dissociation injuries.

The ratio, AB/CD, is measured as the ratio of the distance in the median (midsagittal) plane between the:

  1. basion (A) and the posterior spinolaminar line of the atlas (B) and,

  2. opisthion (C) and the anterior arch of the atlas (D)

Normal values are <1 on plain radiographs 1 and <0.9 on CT 2. If this ratio is >1, then the anterior atlanto-occipital dissociation should be suspected 2. However, Powers ratio is not useful in diagnosing posterior dissociation and vertical distraction injuries 2.

History and etymology

Barry Powers, American radiologist, described his ratio in a paper published in 1979 1.

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