C1 Stenosis - An Easily Missed Cause for Cervical Myelopathy.

TitleC1 Stenosis - An Easily Missed Cause for Cervical Myelopathy.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsJoaquim AFernandes, Baum G, Tan LA, K Riew D
JournalNeurospine
Volume16
Issue3
Pagination456-461
Date Published2019 Sep
ISSN2586-6583
Abstract

C1 stenosis is often an easily missed cause for cervical myelopathy. The vast majority of cervical myelopathy occurs in the subaxial cervical spine. The cervical canal is generally largest at C1/2, explaining the relatively rare incidence of neurological deficits in patients with odontoid fractures. However, some subjects have anatomical anomalies of the atlas, which may cause stenosis and result in clinical symptoms similar to subaxial cord compression. Isolated pure atlas hypoplasia leading to stenosis is quite rare and may be associated with other anomalies, such as atlas clefts or transverse ligament calcification. It may also be more commonly associated with syndromic conditions such as Down or Turner syndrome. Although the diagnosis can be easily made with a cervical magnetic resonance imaging, the C3/2 spinolaminar test using a lateral cervical plain radiograph is a useful and sensitive tool for screening. Surgical treatment with a C1 laminectomy is generally necessary and any atlantoaxial or occipito-atlanto instability must be treated with spinal stabilization and fusion.

DOI10.14245/ns.1938200.100
Alternate JournalNeurospine
PubMed ID31607078
PubMed Central IDPMC6790717