BACKGROUND: One of the limiting factors of C1-C2 fixation is the location of the vertebral artery (VA). The authors sought to assess the potential variations in atlanto-axial VA anatomy using computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: Detailed measurements were made on digital images of 106 patients undergoing CTA at our institution (54 males, 52 females; mean age 56, range 20-86). Distances, diameters and angles of osseous and vascular elements of the atlanto-axial complex were measured. RESULTS: Optimal C1 and C2 screw trajectories demonstrated wide variations among patients. The size of the VA groove or foramen was not predictive of exact arterial location or size. CONCLUSIONS: The size, location and path of the VA cannot be precisely predicted by the appearance of osseous structures such as the transverse foramina and/or the VA groove. CTA provides additional information regarding the atlanto-axial complex, and should be considered as a useful adjunct in the preoperative evaluation of select patients. (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BACKGROUND: One of the limiting factors of C1-C2 fixation is the location of the vertebral artery (VA). The authors sought to assess the potential variations in atlanto-axial VA anatomy using computed tomography angiography (CTA). METHODS: Detailed measurements were made on digital images of 106 patients undergoing CTA at our institution (54 males, 52 females; mean age 56, range 20-86). Distances, diameters and angles of osseous and vascular elements of the atlanto-axial complex were measured. RESULTS: Optimal C1 and C2 screw trajectories demonstrated wide variations among patients. The size of the VA groove or foramen was not predictive of exact arterial location or size. CONCLUSIONS: The size, location and path of the VA cannot be precisely predicted by the appearance of osseous structures such as the transverse foramina and/or the VA groove. CTA provides additional information regarding the atlanto-axial complex, and should be considered as a useful adjunct in the preoperative evaluation of select patients. (c) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Authors: Galyna Ivashchuk; Fabian N Fries; Marios Loukas; David Paulson; Stephen J Monteith; Jens R Chapman; Rod J Oskouian; R Shane Tubbs Journal: Childs Nerv Syst Date: 2016-03-22 Impact factor: 1.475
Authors: J Manuel Sarmiento; Justin D Cohen; Robin M Babadjouni; Miguel D Quintero-Consuegra; Nestor R Gonzalez; Tiffany G Perry Journal: J Neurosurg Case Lessons Date: 2021-05-17