Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies can be congenital, developmental or due to malformation secondary to an acquired disease process. These anomalies can lead to cranial nerve compression, vertebral artery compression, and obstructive hydrocephalus.
Pathology
The craniovertebral junction is formed by the occipital condyles, atlas (C1), axis (C2) vertebrae and their articulations. Any process which can give rise to malformation of these structures may result in a CVJ anomaly.
On this basis of etiology, CVJ anomalies can be classified as:
Congenital
Basiocciput
remnants of proatlas
occipital condylar hypoplasia
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condylar dysplasia
segmentation anomaly of the clivus
Atlas (C1) vertebra
bifid arches
aplasia and hypoplasia of the atlas
Axis (C2) and odontoid process
atlantoaxial fusion
odontoid dysplasia
bifid dens
bicornuate dens
Developmental and acquired
Malformations at the foramen magnum
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stenosis of the foramen magnum
paramesial invagination
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infections
trauma
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inborn errors of metabolism
-
neoplastic
osteofibroma
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other
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