Characterization of Alar Ligament in Young Adult on 3.0T MRI: A Cross-sectional Study in IIUM Medical Centre, Kuantan
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.1.21
- Author:
Raihanah Haroon
1
;
Siti Kamariah Che Mohamed
1
;
Karimah Hanim Abd. Aziz
2
Author Information
1. Department of Radiology, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang
2. Department of Community Medicine, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Alar ligament, MRI, Atlantoaxial joint, Male female, Healthy respondents
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.1):149-157
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Alar ligament is a paired craniocervical junction ligaments which stabilizes the atlantooccipital and
atlantoaxial joints. The main purpose of the study was to compare the normal anatomy of alar ligament on MRI between male and female. The prevalence of alar ligament visualized on MRI and its characteristics were also studied
apart from determining the association between the heights of respondents with alar ligament signal intensity and
dimensions. Methods: Fifty healthy volunteers were studied using 3.0T MR scanner (Siemens Magnetom Spectra) by
2-mm proton density, T2 and fat-suppression sequences. Alar ligament visualization, dimensions and variability of
the ligament courses, shapes and signal intensity characteristics were determined. Results: The orientation of the ligament was laterally ascending in most of the subjects (60%), predominantly oval in shaped (54%) and 67% showed
inhomogenous signal. Females are 70% less likely to exhibit alar ligament signal inhomogeneity than males. There
were positive correlation between height and the craniocaudal diameter of the alar ligament as well as the anteroposterior diameter, which were statistically significant (r = 0.25, n = 100, p = 0.01 and r = 0.201, n = 100, p = 0.045
respectively). Conclusion: Tremendous variability of alar ligament shows that clinical and multimodality correlation
needs to be exercised, especially in evaluating alar ligament MR signal in male. Taller individuals otherwise tend to
have longer and thicker ligaments. Future studies with larger samples of alar ligaments including trauma cases are
also recommended to supplant a new classification system of alar ligament injury.
- Full text:11.2023my1421.pdf
