Summary
A three-dimensional analysis of atlantoaxial rotation was made by computed tomography in ten healthy subjects. The method described allowed study of spatial relations between C1 and C2 interspace under both static and dynamic conditions, using a projection in a fixed transverse plane. The results demonstrated an axis of rotation for C2 slightly anterior to that for C1. Asymmetric rotation was observed, the separation between the transverse formaina of C1 and C2 being less marked on the side opposite to the direction of rotation of the head. This use of CT and these anatomic findings may be useful in the study of disorders of atlantoaxial rotation and their effect on the vertebral arteries.
Résumé
Une analyse tridimensionnelle de la rotation atloïdo-axoïdienne est effectuée en tomodensitométrie chez dix sujets sains. La méthode présentée permet une étude des rapports dans l'espace de C1 et C2, en position statique et dynamique, par projection dans un plan transversal fixe. Les résultats mettent en évidence un axe de rotation de C2 légèrement antérieur à celui de C1. Une rotation asymétrique est observée avec une ouverture entre les foramens transversaires de C1 et C2 plus faible du côté controlatéral au sens de rotation de la tête. Cette méthode tomodensitométrique et ces résultats anatomiques peuvent être utilisés dans l'étude de la pathologie de la rotation atloïdo-axoïdienne et de son retentissement sur les artères vertébrales.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dumas JL, Sainte Rose M, Dreyfus P, Goldlust D, Chevrel JP (1993) Rotation of the cervical spinal column: a computed tomography in vivo study. Surg Radiol Anat 15: 333–339
Dvorak J, Hayek J, Zehnder R (1987) CT-functional diagnostics of the rotatory instability of the upper cervical spine: an evaluation on healthy adults and patients with suspected instability. Spine 12: 726–731
Dvorak J, Panjabi M, Gerber M, Wichmann W (1987) CT-functional diagnostics of the rotatory instability of the upper cervical spine: an experimental study on cadavers. Spine 12: 197–205
Fielding JW, Hawkins RJ (1977) Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 59-A: 37–44
Fielding JW, Stillwell WT, Chynn KY, Spyropoulos EC (1978) Use of computed tomography for the diagnosis of atlanto-axial rotatory fixation. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 60-A: 1102–1104
Fishman EK, Magid D, Ney DR, et al (1991) Three-dimensional imaging. Radiology 181: 321–337
Kowalski HM, Cohen WA, Cooper P, Wisoff JH (1987) Pitfalls in the CT diagnosis of atlantoaxial rotary subluxation. Am J Roentgenol 149: 595–600
Mazzara JT, Fielding JW (1988) Effect of C1–C2 rotation on canal size. Clin Orthop 237: 115–119
Ney DR, Fishman EK, Kawashima A, Robertson DD, Scott WW (1992) Comparison of helical and serial CT with regard to three-dimensional imaging of musculoskeletal anatomy. Radiology 185: 865–869
Ono K, Yonenobu K, Fuji T, Okada K (1985) Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation: radiographic study of its mechanism. Spine 10: 602–608
Penning L, Wilmink JT (1987) Rotation of the cervical spine: a CT study in normal subjects. Spine 12: 732–738
Rinaldi I, Mullins WJ, Delaney WF, Fitzer PM, Tornberg DN (1979) Computerized tomographic demonstration of rotational atlanto-axial fixation. J Neurosurg 50: 115–119
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Dumas, JL., Thoreux, P., Attali, P. et al. Three-dimensional CT analysis of atlantoaxial rotation: results in the normal subject. Surg Radiol Anat 16, 199–204 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01627595
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01627595