Overview Cervical spondylosis and disk degeneration can lead to radiculopathy and myelopathy from progressive foraminal or central stenosis. A 14 year epidemiologic study from Rochester, Minnesota, found the incidence of…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
