The importance of occipitocervical anatomy, ligament ossification, and osteoarthritis in the diagnosis and treatment of occipitocervical diseases
10.3760/cma.j.cn121113-20220919-00564
- VernacularTitle:枕颈部解剖、韧带骨化和骨关节炎对枕颈部疾病诊治的重要性
- Author:
Lianshun JIA
1
Author Information
1. 海军军医大学第二附属医院（上海长征医院）脊柱外科，上海 200003
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics
2022;42(23):1539-1541
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
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Abstract:
Occipitocervical anatomy is characterized by deep location, complex structure, and unique function. The motor function of the occipitocervical region is highly flexible. How to achieve satisfactory spinal cord decompression with minimal invasion and how to effectively reconstruct biomechanical stability and maintain flexible motor function are important clinical problems that need to be solved urgently. However, this has also led surgeons to focus too much only on surgical techniques rather than comprehensive understanding and treatment of the disease. There are three common but easily ignored issues in clinical practice: Firstly, the importance of occipitocervical anatomy research to improve clinical diagnosis and treatment. The stability of the base of the skull and the lower cervical vertebra should also be considered in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Secondly, atlanto-occipito-atlantoaxial joint and local ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. Atlantoaxial flexibility may lead to the earliest appearance of partial ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament in this region. Thirdly, atlanto-occipito-atlantoaxial joint osteoarthritis is often neglected, and paying attention to the diagnosis and treatment of atlanto-occipito-axial joint osteoarthritis will improve the overall curative effect of occipito-cervical diseases.
