Skip to main content
Log in

Computer-tomographic investigations in malformations of the occipito-cervical junction

  • Cranio-Cervical Dysplasias
  • —Modern diagnostic and operative procedures—
  • Published:
Neurosurgical Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The diagnosis of occipito-cervical dysplasias has been improved markedly by computer-tomography. Two millimetre transverse cuts with sagittal and coronal reconstructions are necessary. Based on nine cases with nearly all types of malformations it is shown that even complex osseous (mesodermal) malformations and dysplasias as well as isolated or combined neuroectodermal dysplasic or secondary compressive lesions of the medulla oblongata and cord can be detected.

Transverse and AP diameters of the foramen magnum and spinal canal and the classical lines and angles can be measured. This time-consuming procedure will give more information than the classical radiological methods and avoid myelographic and cisternal examinations.

Its disadvantages are the impossibility of dynamic functional studies and the length of the procedure.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aubin, M. L., C. Jardin, D. Bar, J. Vignaud: Aspects tomodensitométriques de 32 tumeurs intrarachidiennes. J. Neuroradiol. 6 (1979) 81–92

    Google Scholar 

  2. Aubin, M. L., J. Vignaud, C. Jardin, D. Bar: Computed tomography in 75 clinical cases of syringomyelia. A.J.N.R. 2, (1981) 199–204

    Google Scholar 

  3. Baleriaux-Waha, D., L. L. Mortelmans, M. G. Dupont, L. Jeanmart: Computer tomography for lesions of the craniovertebral region. Neuroradiology 13 (1977) 59–61

    Google Scholar 

  4. Blümm, R. G.: Die direkte sagittale (positionale) Computertomographie des Schädels. Röntgenstrahlen aus aller Welt der medizinischen Technik 47 (1982) 14–21

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bolk, L.: Zur Frage der Assimilation des Atlas am Schädel beim Menschen. Anat. Anz. 28 (1906) 497–520

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bonafe, A., C. Manelfe, J. Espagno, B. Ruiraud, A. Rascol: Evaluation of syringomyelia with metrizamide computed tomographic myelography. J.C.A.T. 4 (1981) 797–802

    Google Scholar 

  7. Brugman, E., Y. Palmers, B. Staelens: Congenital absence of a pedicle in the cervical spine: A new approach with CT scan. Neuroradiology 17 (1979) 121–225

    Google Scholar 

  8. Carella, A., F. Federico, M. Resta, F. A. Lupo: The anomalies of the atlas. Computed tomography and radiological aspects. J. Neurosurg. 25 (1982) 127–129

    Google Scholar 

  9. Carmel, P. W., M. G. Luken, G. F. Ascherl Jr.: Craniosynostosis: computed tomographic evaluation of skull base and calvarial deformities and associated intracranial changes. Neurosurgery 9 (1982) 336 bis 372

    Google Scholar 

  10. Christ, F., K. P. Schwuchow: Beidseitiger hinterer Atlasbogendefekt. Röfo 134 (1981) 209–211

    Google Scholar 

  11. Curatolo, P., E. Cotroneo: Cerebellar vermis dysplasia: diagnostic problems by CT. Neuropediatrics 13 (1981) 50

    Google Scholar 

  12. Department of orthopaedic surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital; Boston: Anteroposterior spondyloschisis of the atlas revealed by computerized tomography scanning. A case report. J. Bone Joint Surg. (Am.) 60 (1979) 1104–1105

    Google Scholar 

  13. Di Chiro, G., S. P. Adelbaum, D. Schellinger: Computerized axial tomography in syringomyelia. N. Eng. J. Med. 292 (1975) 13–16

    Google Scholar 

  14. Dubois, P. J., B. P. Drayer, M. Sage, D. Osborne, E. R. Heinz: Intramedullary penetration of metrizamide in the dog spinal cord. A.J.N.R. 2 (1981) 313–317

    Google Scholar 

  15. Elies, W., D. Plester: Basilar impression. A differential diagnosis of Menières disease. Arch. Otolaryngol. 106 (1980) 232–233

    Google Scholar 

  16. Forbes, W. St. C., I. Ischerwood: Computed tomography in syringomyelia and the associated Arnold-Chiari type I malformation. Neuroradiology 15 (1978) 73–78

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hachen, H. J.: Computed tomography of the spine and spinal cord: Limitations and applications. Paraplegia 19 (1981) 155–163

    Google Scholar 

  18. Heidsiek, R.: Neue Beiträge zur Frage der Grenze zwischen Schädel und Wirbelsäule beim Menschen. Anat. Anz. 72 (1931) 113–137

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hochman, M., A. Kobetz, E. Schneider, B. Zumpano: Adult Arnold-Chiari malformation type I demonstrated by CT metrizamide myelography. Surg. Neurol. 16 (1981) 467–468

    Google Scholar 

  20. Kendall, B. E., D. Kingsley: The value of computer axial tomography (CAT) in craniocerebral malformations. Brit. J. Radiol. 51 (1978) 171–190

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lauten, G. J., W. D. Wehunt: Computed tomography in absent cervical pedicle. A.J.N.R. 1 (1981) 201–203

    Google Scholar 

  22. Lehman, R. M.: Dandy-Walker syndrome in consecutive siblings: Familial hindbrain malformation. Neurosurgery 8 (1981) 717–719

    Google Scholar 

  23. Lipson, S. J., J. Mazur: Anteroposterior spondyloschisis of the atlas revealed by computerized tomography scanning. J. Bone Joint Surg. 60 (1978) 1104–1105

    Google Scholar 

  24. Milliet, G., C. H. Raybaud, H. Pourpre, J. E. Paillas, G. Salamon: Explorations neuroradiologiques du syndrome d'Arnold-Chiari interêt de la tomodensitométrie et de la myélographie à l'Amipaque. J. Radiol. 60 (1980) 521–525

    Google Scholar 

  25. Naidich, T. P.: Aspects tomodensitométriques des lésions crâniocervicales de la malformation de Chiari II. Corrélations anatomo-tomodensitométriques. Cranial CT signs of the Chiari II malformation CT correlation. J. Neuroradiol. 8 (1981) 207–227

    Google Scholar 

  26. Resjoe, I. M., D. C. Harwood-Nash, C. R. Fritz, S. Chuang: Computed tomographic metrizamide myelography in syringohydromyelia. Radiology 131 (1979) 405–407

    Google Scholar 

  27. Sartor, K.: Computertomographie bei spinalen Tumoren. Röfo 132 (1980) 391–398

    Google Scholar 

  28. Schmidt, H., E. Fischer: Die okzipitale Dysplasie. Georg Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart 1960

    Google Scholar 

  29. Seelentag, W.: Die Strahlenbelastung des Menschen und ihre Bedeutung. Atomkernenergie 2 (1957) 102–109

    Google Scholar 

  30. Stroeter, P., I. Schneider, R. Bergleiter, U. Ebeling: Diagnostischer Wert der computertomographischen Untersuchung der lumbosakralen Region bei Patienten mit Lumboischialgien. Röfo 136 (1982) 515–524

    Google Scholar 

  31. Torklus, D., W. Gehle: Die obere Halswirbelsäule. Regionale Morphologie, Pathologie und Traumatologie. Praktischer Röntgenatlas und Systematik. Georg Thieme-Verlag, Stuttgart 1970

    Google Scholar 

  32. Wackenheim, A.: Roentgendiagnosis of the craniovertebral region. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York 1974

    Google Scholar 

  33. Wackenheim, A.: Case Report. Congenital fusion of the anterior arch of the atlas demonstrated by computed tomography. Neuroradiology 14 (1977) 41–42

    Google Scholar 

  34. Weinstein, M.: Computed tomography in diastematomyelia. Radiology 118 (1975) 609–611

    Google Scholar 

  35. Weisberg, L., D. Shraberg, R. P. Meriwether, H. Robertson, G. Goodman: Computed tomographic findings in the Arnold-Chiari Type I malformation. J.C.A.T. 5 (1981) 1–9

    Google Scholar 

  36. Wholey, M. H.: The lateral roentgenogram of the neck. (With comments of the atlanto-odontoid-basion relationship) Radiology 71 (1958) 350–354

    Google Scholar 

  37. Wolf, B. S., M. Khilnani, L. Malis: Sagittal diameter of bony cervical spine and its significance in cervical spondylosis. J. Mt. Sinai Hosp. 23 (1956) 283–297

    Google Scholar 

  38. Woosley, R. E., R. A. Whaley: Use of metrizamide in computerized tomography to diagnose the Chiari I malformation. J. Neurosurg. 56 (1982) 373–376

    Google Scholar 

  39. Yamada, H., N. Kageyama, T. Kato, T. Sakakibara: The diagnosis of syringomyelia. No Shinkei Geka 9 (1981) 573–582

    Google Scholar 

  40. Zimmermann, R. D., D. Breckbill, M. W. Dennis, D. O. Davis: Cranial CT findings in patients with meningomyelocele. A.J.N.R. 132 (1979) 623–629

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Agnoli, L., Hildebrandt, G. Computer-tomographic investigations in malformations of the occipito-cervical junction. Neurosurg. Rev. 6, 177–185 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01743099

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01743099

Keywords

Navigation