Calcification of the transverse ligament of the atlas-crowned dens sign: imaging findings and clinical course
10.3760/cma.j.cn141217-20240602-00177
- VernacularTitle:寰椎横韧带钙化——齿状突加冠征的影像学随访
- Author:
Yake MENG
1
;
Lili ZHOU
;
Hao PAN
;
Wei ZHANG
;
Rongxue SHAO
;
Wei MEI
Author Information
1. 浙江中医药大学附属杭州市中医院骨科，杭州 310007
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Cervical atlas;
Calcinosis;
Tomography;
X-ray computed
- From:
Chinese Journal of Rheumatology
2025;29(8):678-681
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the radiographic changes of calcification of transverse atlantal ligament by clinical case study and improve the understanding of it.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed to identify the clinical cases of transverse atlantebral ligament calcification. Eleven cases in the orthopedic department of our hospital from January 2015 to December 2022 were identifiled.Results:In this study, a total of 11 patients with calcification of atlas transverse ligament, which showed crowned dens sign (CDSig). Five patients were males and 6 were females, with an average age of 79.9 years (70~89 years). The average follow-up time was 44.7 months (14~89 months), 7 cases had no significant change in calcification, and 4 patients had aggravated calcification. These 11 patients accounted for 28 clinical visits in total, with the primary reasons for consultation as follows: 7 visits were related to cerebrovascular diseases, 6 visits were due to respiratory diseases, 5 visits were for surgical conditions. None of the patients reported a history of "acute neck pain".Conclusion:When patients with CDSig are complicated by acute neck pain, crowned dens syndrome should be considered on the basis of exclusion of malignant diseases such as meningitis. Calcification of the transverse atlanto-vertebral ligament is closely related to age, and calcification develops slowly, and may become worse with age.
