Odontoid Fractures and Screw Fixation
Overview Odontoid fractures account for 5% to 15% of all cervical spine injuries and are seen more frequently in elderly patients. The Anderson and D’Alonzo system for odontoid fractures is…
C1–C2 Trauma Injuries and Stabilization Techniques
Overview Fractures of the atlas and axis are often seen in the setting of trauma to the craniocervical junction (CCJ). Injuries to these vertebrae can induce instability and result in…
Endoscopic Anterior Cervical Foraminotomy (Jho Procedure)
Overview The optimal surgical treatment of degenerative cervical spine disease that involves radiculopathy and/or myelopathy would be direct surgical removal of compressive pathology while preserving segmental motion. To achieve these…
Craniovertebral Junction Instabilities and Surgical Fixation Techniques
Overview Occipitocervical (OC) instability affects a number of patients every year and is associated with significant morbidity. It is due to the lack of firm articulation between the occipital bone…
Endoscopic Approaches to the Craniovertebral Junction
Overview Surgical access to the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) is challenging because of its deep, anatomically protected location and the diverse pathology involved in this region. Examples of lesions that involve…
Endoscopic Anterior Cervical Foraminotomy (Jho Procedure)
Overview The optimal surgical treatment of degenerative cervical spine disease that involves radiculopathy and/or myelopathy would be direct surgical removal of compressive pathology while preserving segmental motion. To achieve these…
Surgical Anatomy and Biomechanics in the Mid and Lower Cervical Spine
Overview An essential element to surgery of the spine is a thorough understanding of its anatomy and biomechanics. The cervical spine is part of the axial skeleton of the neck….
Surgical Approaches to Craniovertebral Junction Congenital Malformations, Chiari Malformations, and Cranial Settling (Invagination)
Surgical Anatomy of the Craniocervical Junction The craniocervical junction extends from the occipital bone to the second cervical vertebra. Understanding the surgical anatomy of the bony structures of the lower…
Surgical Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Craniovertebral Junction
Overview The anatomic relationship at the craniovertebral junction (CVJ) is quite complex. The foramen magnum, the atlas, and the axis together comprise the CVJ and provide the anatomic anchor that…
Approaches to the Craniocervical Junction: Posterior and Lateral Approaches
Overview The indications for a posterior or far-lateral approach to the craniocervical junction (CCJ) are diverse and include craniocervical instability, neoplasm, trauma, and degenerative changes. This includes pathologies such as…
