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C1–C2 instability with severe occipital headache in the setting of vertebral artery facet complex erosion

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Abstract

Purpose

An exact understanding of patient vertebral artery anatomy is essential to safely place screws at the atlanto-axial level in posterior arthrodesis. We aim to report a case of erosion of the left vertebral artery into the C1–C2 facet complex with resultant rotatory and lateral listhesis presenting with severe occipital headache. This represents a novel etiology for this diagnosis and our report illustrates technical considerations when instrumenting the C1–C2 segment.

Methods

We report a case of severe occipital headache due to C1–C2 instability with resultant left C2 nerve compression in the setting of erosion of the vertebral artery into the C1–C2 facet complex.

Results

A 68-year-old woman presented with a 12-month history of progressively debilitating headache and neck pain with atlanto-axial instability. Computed tomography (CT) angiography demonstrated erosion of the left vertebral artery into the left C1–C2 facet complex. In addition, the tortuous vertebral arteries had eroded into the C2 pedicles, eliminating the possibility for posterior pedicle screw placement. The patient underwent posterior arthrodesis of C1–C2 utilizing bilateral lateral mass fixation into C1 and bilateral trans-laminar fixation into C2 with resolution of all preoperative complaints.

Conclusions

This study constitutes the first report of a tortuous vertebral artery causing the partial destruction of a C1–C2 facet complex, as well as instability, with the clinical presentation of severe occipital headache. It hereby presents a novel etiology for both the development of C1–C2 segment instability as well as the development of occipital headache. Careful evaluation of such lesions utilizing CT angiography is important when formulating a surgical plan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    Fadi Taher, Alexander Aichmair & Alexander P. Hughes

  2. Rīga Stradiņš University, 16 Dzirciema Street, Riga, 1007, Latvia

    Kristaps Bokums

Authors
  1. Fadi Taher
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  2. Kristaps Bokums
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  3. Alexander Aichmair
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  4. Alexander P. Hughes
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Correspondence to Fadi Taher.

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Taher, F., Bokums, K., Aichmair, A. et al. C1–C2 instability with severe occipital headache in the setting of vertebral artery facet complex erosion. Eur Spine J 23 (Suppl 2), 145–149 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-2792-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-013-2792-7

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