Computed tomography of the articulations and ligaments at the occipito-atlantoaxial region.

The computed tomographic (CT) appearance of the occipito-atlantoaxial articulations and ligaments was analyzed using the CT/T 8800 and 9800 scanners with and without intravenous or intrathecal contrast media. Osseous and ligamentous structures in dissected or sectioned anatomic specimens were correlated with structures seen on the CT images, and the articulations and transverse, alar, and apical ligaments were identified. It is concluded that such an analysis, which has not been done in detail previously, should facilitate the diagnosis of cervical soft-tissue injuries and abnormalities.