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Abstract
The craniocervical junction, a vital but anatomically complex region, presents additional
interpretative challenges in patients with skeletal dysplasias and other syndromes
involving the musculoskeletal apparatus. Our objective was to review the radiological
evaluation used in such conditions; to do so, we identified retrospectively all of
the occipitocervical studies done during the last 3 years at our institution on patients
with skeletal dysplasias and related syndromes. The 28 cases thus found were reviewed
and the different diagnostic modalities identified; the diagnostic findings were summarized
and classified into osseous and soft tissue abnormalities. The standard criteria for
cervical instability and cord compression were compared with measurements reported
in our selected cases. The lateral radiograph of the cervical spine was the first
diagnostic test, followed by additional flexion-extension views and sagittal spin-echo
magnetic resonance imaging; no conclusive diagnostic criteria for occipitoatlantal
instability in children with bone dysplasias were identified.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
February 20,
1994
Received:
December 25,
1993
Identification
Copyright
© 1995 Published by Elsevier Inc.
