Os odontoideum is a rare anomaly of the second cervical vertebrae, which is a separated ossicle from the body of the axis. This abnormality of the odontoid process can result in an atlanto-axial instability & subsequent cervical cord compression. In spite of the high prevalence of atlanto-axial instability due to the ligamentous laxity of atlanto-axial joint, the frequency of neurologic symptoms is relatively low in the patient of the Down syndrome. The asymptomatic atlanto-axial instability by trauma may progress to Os odontoideum in Down syndrome population and may cause cervical cord compression. Therefore, early recognition and an appropriate management of patients with atlanto-axial instability can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality. We report a case of Os odontoideum in a child with Down syndrome, who had an atlanto-axial instability which resulted in the cervical cord compression.
Atlanto-Axial Joint ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Child ; Down Syndrome* ; Dyspnea* ; Female ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Mortality ; Neurologic Manifestations ; Odontoid Process ; Prevalence ; Quadriplegia*

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to study pedicle morphology in Koreans to provide a reference guide in transpedicular screw fixation. METHODS: Pedicle measurements were obtained from 35 dried human lumbar columns(175 lumbar vertebrae). Anatomic evaluation was focused on pedicle transverse diameter, pedicle axis length and the distance from the pedicle axis point to the midline of the transverse process. Pedicle angle and vertebral body length also were measured. RESULT: In the transverse plan, pedicle diameter increased from L1(7.8mm) to L5(15.5mm). But in 20.0% of L1 and L2, its diameters was under 6.0mm. In the sagittal plan, it was not as constant and had similar diameter from L1 to L5. In the transverse plan, the pedicle angle increased from L1 to L5. But in the sagittal plan it decreased from L1 to L5. Also, the pedicle axis length did not show concordant change, but rather had similar length in lumbar vertebrae. In 15%, its length was under 45mm. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that using above 6mm diameter and 45mm length of screw for L1 and L2 can violate the pedicle and vertebrae. Above L4, the pedicle axis point was superior to the midline of the transverse process, below L4, it was inferior to the midline of the transverse process. This information may prove to be helpful when contemplating the placement of screws to the lumbar pedicles.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae* ; Spine

The vertebral pedicle is an important structure used as an implant site for spinal instrumentation surgery. Since precise anatomical knowledge of lumbar pedicles in vivo is essential for risk - free surgery, we analyzed Korean vertebrae with radiologic imaging techniques. The authors analayzed 500 pedicles from L1 to L5 vertebrae with computerized tomograms (CT) and simple radiograms taken from patient free of vertebral abnormality. Five morphometric parameters: transverse pedicle width, transverse pedicle angle, sagittal pedicle width, sagittal pedicle angle depth to anterior cortex were measured. The transverse diameter and angle of pedicle increased gradually from L1 to L5, while the sagittal diameter and angle decreased from L1 to L5. The depth to anterior cortex from posterior elements was longer along the pedicle axis than along axis parallel to midline.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae* ; Spine

Giant solitary anterior cervical canal neurofibroma (GSACCN) is rarely reported in the literature. When the large lesion is ventrally located to the spinal cord, an anterolateral approach may not be ideal due to various technical challenges. In this report, we describe a case of intradural extramedullary GSACCN located at the cervical region extending from the axis to the sixth cervical vertebrae. Here we also describe a posterior technique successfully used to resect the tumour. Therefore, the posterior approach by En bloc decompressive laminectomy and laminoplasty might be used to adequately treat the lesion.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Female ; Laminectomy ; Neurofibroma* ; Spinal Cord

The authors describe a new technique for the reduction and wiring of atlanto-axial dislocation. More strong supporting effect has been achieved by double wiring of the posterior arch of the cervical vertebrae. Various techniques for the fixation of the atlanto-axial dislocation have been discussed.olved.
Cervical Vertebrae ; Dislocations* ; Female ; Odontoid Process*

Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; injuries ; Cervical Atlas ; injuries ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; instrumentation ; methods ; Humans ; Odontoid Process ; injuries ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Spinal Fusion

STUDY DESIGN: The relationships between aorta and thoracic vertebrae were analyzed by using MR images. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to provide information upon the thoracic aortic passage to prevent vascular compli-cations during anterior and posterior instrumentations for various spinal disorders and traumas. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A number of morphometric investigations have been performed on the thoracic vertebrae, but the anatomical relationship between aorta and the thoracic vertebral body has not been analyzed. METHODS: The MR images of 32 patients with normal thoracic vertebral column were obtained. The angle between the transverse axis of the thoracic vertebral body and the thoracic aorta, the diameter of the thoracic aorta and the closest distance between the thoracic vertebral body and the thoracic aorta from T2 to T12 were measured on axial MR images. RESULTS: The smallest angle between the transverse axis of the thoracic vertebral body and the line connecting the centers of the vertebral body and aorta was 6.8 degrees/3.7 degrees(male/female) in the T5-6 region and highest angle observed was 56.3 degrees/55 degrees in the T12 region. The angle decreased between T2 and T5-6 and then increased after T6. The mean external diameter of the thoracic aorta was 32.8 mm, and the largest diameter of the thoracic aorta was 24.7/25.4 mm (M/F) in the T4-5 region. The aortic arch was first seen in the T2 region and it formed an arch in the T3-4 region. The shortest distance between the thoracic vertebral body and the thoracic aorta wall was 0.8/0.7 mm in the T12 region and the greatest distance between the vertebral body and the aorta was 11.84/6.75 mm in the T2-3 region. CONCLUSION: From T4 to T8, the aorta is located just left lateral to the vertebral body. In this area, the aorta is jeopardized by a screw penetrating the vertebral body during anterior instrumentation, if the screw protrudes beyond the pedicle during posterior instrumentation. The surgeon should be familiar with the anatomical relationship between aorta and the vertebral column when planning a surgical procedure or the use of instrumentation in this region.
Aorta ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Spine ; Thoracic Vertebrae

The Os odontoideum is a developmental anomaly of the axis in which the odontoid process is divided transversely. The Atlanto-axial dislocation due to Os odontoideum is presented. At first, we have performed the posterior atlanto-axial fusion with wire fixation. But the posterior fusion failed in realignment and did not adequately decompress the deformed cord by encroachment on its ventral surface. Next time, we have experienced further improvement following transoral decompression and anterior fusion.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Decompression* ; Dislocations* ; Odontoid Process

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the fracture type and adjacency of accompanied fractures in acute osteoporotic spinal compression fracture using whole spine sagittal MRI (WS-MRI), and to know the relation of sagittal vertical axis (SVA), body mass index (BMI), and lumbar bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS: From June 2007 to December 2010, 167 patients who had acute spinal compression fractures confirmed by WS-MRI divide in three groups. 82 patients (M/F : 25/57) who had acute fractures only were in group 1, 79 patients who had acute and old fractures were in group 2, and 20 patients who had acute fractures after vertebroplasy were in group 3. To analyze the fracture type and adjacency of accompanied fractures in acute osteoporotic spinal compression fractures which combined chronic fracture or vertebroplasty using the WS-MRI and compared with the control group who had no spinal fractures measured the SVA. In all groups, we measured BMI, and BMD. RESULTS: In WS-MRI, 31 patients in group 1 had L1 which was the most common fracture site. Twenty two patients had chronic fractures and more than 3 remote levels at the acute fracture site in group 2 and especially among there 14 patients have each level in cervicothoracic and lumbar vertebrae. In group 3 had old fracture and adjacent fracture was 14 and 11 patients. Compared with the control group, all groups had increased SVA, especially in group 2 which has acute and chronic compression fractures. They have no significantly difference of BMI in each group, but group 2 and 3 had a significant lower BMD than group 1. CONCLUSION: Fourteen patients of coexisting fractures in acute osteoporotic spinal compression fractures with WS-MRI which could be missed in the conventional MRI. Additionally this study suggests that longer SVA causes sagittal imbalance, and BMD is more relative than BMI in refractures of chronic compression fracture patients.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Fractures, Compression ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Osteoporosis ; Spinal Fractures ; Spine ; Vertebroplasty

The crowned dens syndrome (CDS), also known as periodontoid calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate crystal deposition disease, is typified clinically by severe cervical pain, neck stiffness and atlantoaxial synovial calcification which could be misdiagnosed as meningitis, epidural abscess, polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cervical spondylitis or metastatic spinal tumor. Crystalline deposition on cervical vertebrae is less well known disease entity and only a limited number of cases have been reported to date. Authors report a case of CDS and describe the clinical feature.
Arthritis ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Calcium Pyrophosphate ; Cervical Vertebrae ; Crowns* ; Crystallins ; Epidural Abscess ; Female ; Giant Cells ; Meningitis ; Neck ; Neck Pain ; Polymyalgia Rheumatica ; Spondylitis