Estudio morfológico de pontículus pósticus en telerradiografías laterales / Morphological study of pontículus pósticus in lateral teleradiographies

OBJETIVO establecer la prevalencia de Pontículus Pósticus (PP) en pacientes atendidos en el Servicio de Imagenología de la Universidad Finis Terrae en el periodo 2015-2020. METODOLOGÍA estudio de tipo transversal descriptivo, donde se analizaron 334 telerradiografías laterales (TL) obtenidas del Servicio de Imagenología de la Universidad Finis Terrae entre los años 2015 y 2019 adquiridas mediante el equipo marca SIRONA modelo Orthophos XG, seleccionándolas según criterios de inclusión y exclusión. Se analizó la primera vértebra cervical buscando la presencia de PP consignando: sexo, edad y tipo de osificación según clasificación de Cederberg y Stubbs, asignándoles valores numéricos para posteriormente realizar el análisis estadístico de tipo descriptivo uni y bivariado. RESULTADOS se seleccionaron 320 TL. La prevalencia de PP fue del 31,9% de las TL incluidas, de los cuales el 68,1% correspondió al tipo 1 de la clasificación de Cederberg y Stubbs, el 14,1% al tipo 2, 10,3% al tipo 4 y el 7,5% al tipo 3. La edad media en pacientes con PP presente correspondió a 30,63 años +/­ 15,888 D.E con un mínimo de 12 años y un máximo de 78. En cuanto a la presencia de PP y la variable sexo, el 53,9% correspondió al sexo femenino y el 46,1% al sexo masculino, en donde no se encontró una predilección estadísticamente significativa (p = 0,08). CONCLUSIONES el PP es una variante anatómica de prevalencia variada, siendo levemente mayor en esta población chilena en comparación con otros países. Además, su evidencia es escasa y no existe un consenso sobre su prevalencia y diversas variables como el género y la edad, difiriendo en varios estudios. Es importante conocer e investigar más sobre la epidemiología de esta anomalía y su relación con distintos desórdenes neurológicos

OBJETIVE to establish the prevalence of Ponticulus Posticus (PP) in patients attended in Radiology Service of Finis Terrae University between the years 2015 and 2020. METHODOLOGY descriptive cross-sectional study, 334 lateral cephalograms were analyzed obtained from the Radiology Service of Finis Terrae University between the years 2015 and 2020 acquired from SIRONA system model Orthophos XG, selecting them following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The first cervical vertebrae were analyzed searching for the presence of PP, consigning: Type of ossification by Cederberg and Stubbs classification, Age and Sex, assigning them numerical values to subsequently perform the descriptive statistical analysis uni and bivariate. RESULTS the prevalence of PP found was 31,9% of the 320 included TL, of which 68,1% corresponded to Type 0 of Cederberg and Stubbs classification, 14,1% to Type 1, 10,3% to Type 3 and the 7,5% al Type 2. The average age of present PP patient's was 30,63 years +­ 15,888 S.D with a minimum of 12 years and a maximum de 78. As for the presence of PP and sex variable, 53,9% corresponded to female sex and 46,1% to males, where no statistically significant predilection was found (p = 0,08). CONCLUSIONS PP is an anatomical variant with varied prevalence worldwide, being slightly higher in Chile, compared to other countries. In addition, their evidence is scarce and there is no consensus on its prevalence and various variables such as gender and age, differing in several studies. It is important to know and research more about the epidemiology of this anomaly and its relationship with different neurological disorder

Agenesis of the posterior arch of the atlas: an incidental finding in a polytraumatized patient / Agenesia de arco posterior de atlas: um achado acidental em um paciente politraumatizado / Agenesia del arco posterior del atlas: un hallazgo incidental en un paciente politraumatizado

ABSTRACT The first cervical vertebra is subject to numerous anatomical variations. One of these is posterior arch agenesis, which is classified into five distinct morphological types. Together, all types of posterior arch agenesis comprise only 4% of atlas variations. Furthermore, complete agenesis of the posterior arch associated with the presence of the posterior tubercle is rare. This work reports a case of posterior arch agenesis with the presence of the posterior tubercle in a 33 year-old male victim of a motor vehicle collision. Despite being asymptomatic, this anatomical variation can present with headaches and neck pain. It is mostly found as an incidental finding in imaging studies performed by the emergency team and, as a result, it is often misdiagnosed as a C1 fracture. Knowledge of the variations relating to the first cervical vertebra is therefore essential to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment of polytraumatized patients. Level of evidence V; Case report.

RESUMO A primeira vértebra cervical é alvo de inúmeras variações anatômicas. Uma destas inclui a agenesia do seu arco posterior, que é classificada em cinco tipos morfológicos distintos. Apesar de uma incidência de 4% na população em geral, a agenesia completa do arco posterior, associada à presença do tubérculo posterior do atlas, é rara. Objetivou-se no presente trabalho relatar a agenesia completa do arco posterior com a presença do tubérculo posterior da primeira vértebra cervical em um paciente de 33 anos de idade, que sofreu um acidente automobilístico. Em geral, essa condição é assintomática, porém, essa variação anatômica pode causar sintomas como dores de cabeça. Na maioria dos casos, é um achado acidental em exames de imagem realizados pela equipe de emergência. Como resultado, a agenesia de arco posterior de atlas pode ser interpretada erroneamente como uma fratura. Portanto, o conhecimento das variações anatômicas da primeira vértebra cervical é essencial para evitar erro no diagnóstico e tratamento de pacientes politraumatizados. Nível de Evidência V; Relato de caso.

RESUMEN La primera vértebra cervical puede presentar numerosas variaciones anatómicas. Una de ellas es la agenesia del arco posterior, que se clasifica en cinco tipos morfológicos distintos. En conjunto, todos los tipos de agenesia del arco posterior comprenden solo el 4% de las variaciones del atlas. Además, la agenesia completa del arco posterior asociada con la presencia del tubérculo posterior es rara. Este trabajo relata un caso de agenesia del arco posterior con presencia del tubérculo posterior en un paciente del sexo masculino de 33 años de edad que sufrió un accidente automovilístico. A pesar de ser asintomática, esta variación anatómica puede causar dolores de cabeza y cuello. Se encontra principalmente como hallazgo incidental en pruebas de imagen realizadas por el equipo de emergencia y como resultado, a menudo se diagnostica erróneamente como una fractura de C1. El conocimiento de las variaciones anatómicas de la primera vértebra cervical es, por lo tanto, esencial para evitar retrasos en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de pacientes politraumatizados. Nivel de Evidencia V; Relato de caso.

Frequency of ponticulus posticus in lateral cephalometric radiography of peruvian patients / Frecuencia de ponticulus posticus en radiografías cefalométricas laterales de peruanos

The Ponticulus posticus is an anomalous ossification of unknown origin that arches backward from the superior articular process to the posterior arch of the Atlas vertebra, it can be complete or partial and houses vascular and nervous elements; it is diagnosed by lateral cervical radiography, cephalometric radiography or CT scans. The purpose for the present study was to determine the frequency of partial and complete Ponticulus posticus in lateral cephalometric radiography of Peruvian patients and identify any possible genre or age group associations. The study consisted in reviewing 1056 lateral cephalometric radiography of patients between 3­56 years old in search of partial or complete Ponticulus posticus. The mean age of subjects studied was 14.05±7.43 years old. The Ponticulus posticus frequency was 19.79%, the partial Ponticulus posticus frequency was 11.08% and the complete Ponticulus posticus frequency was 8.71%; Cramer´s V and ETA statistics found not significant association between the PP and the genre or the age groups (p>0.05). The Ponticulus posticus is not an infrequent radiographic finding, our results are similar to those reported in the Americas and similar to different for other ethnic groups, we confirm that the Ponticulus posticus is not associated with genre or age and we reviewed the importance of the Ponticulus posticus in the prognosis of the Atlas-Axis surgical stabilization.

El ponticulus posticus es una osificación anómala de origen desconocido en forma de arco que va desde el proceso articular hacia el arco posterior del atlas; puede ser completo o parcial y aloja elementos vasculares y nerviosos; su diagnóstico se realiza mediante la radiografía lateral cervical, radiografía cefalométrica o tomografía computarizada. El propósito del estudio fue determinar la frecuencia del ponticulus posticus parcial y completo en radiografías cefalométricas de pacientes peruanos y determinar las diferencias de acuerdo al sexo y edad. Se revisaron 1056 radiografías cefalométricas de pacientes entre los 3 a 56 años de edad en busca de ponticulus posticus parcial o completo. La edad promedio fue de 14,05±7,43 años. La frecuencia de ponticulus posticus en general fue 19,79%, con el tipo parcial en un 11,08% y de tipo completo en un 8,71%. Se observó una mayor frecuencia en los hombres (10,22%) que en mujeres (9,56%). No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre la presencia de ponticulus posticus parcial o completo con respecto al sexo y a la edad (p>0,05). El ponticulus posticus no es un hallazgo infrecuente, nuestros resultados fueron similares a los reportados para pacientes americanos y similares a distintos para otros grupos étnicos, se confirmo mediante estadística que el ponticulus posticus no se encuentra asociado a la edad y se discute la importancia de la presencia del ponticulus posticus en el pronóstico de la estabilización del complejo vertebral atlas-axis.

Congenital Anomaly of the Atlas Misdiagnosed as Posterior Arch Fracture of the Atlas and Atlantoaxial Subluxation

Partial or complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas is a well-documented anomaly but a relatively rare condition. This condition is usually asymptomatic so most are diagnosed incidentally. There have been a few documented cases of congenital defects of the posterior arch of the atlas combined with atlantoaxial subluxation. We report a very rare case of congenital anomaly of the atlas combined with atlantoaxial subluxation, that can be misdiagnosed as posterior arch fracture.

Ponticulus posticus incidence in Brazilian Atlas vertebrae: a cadaveric study

The suboccipital segment of the vertebral artery (VA) passes around the lateral mass of atlas (C1). It is located in a groove on the superior surface of the arch of C1, the so-called vertebral artery sulcus (VAS). Occasionally, a small bony arch is found to connect the retroglenoid tubercle with the posterior arch of C1. This anatomical structure is known as ponticulus posticus (PP). The partial or total incidence of PP reported in the literature ranges from 5.14 percent to 51 percent. The clinical implication of PP includes the cervicogenic migraine, vertigo, and the Barre-Lieou syndrome. The scope of this paper is to determine the incidence of PP in isolated cadaveric vertebrae in the Brazilian population. The cervical vertebrae C1 from thirty not identified adult cadavers were examined at the Laboratory of Anatomy of the Federal University of Sergipe, Brazil. PP was present in 40 percent of evaluated C1 and it involved a complete bony arch in 42 percent of the cases. In 58 percent of the cases, PP was observed bilaterally. In the cases where the presence of PP was unilateral, this structure was situated exclusively on the right, even though a bigger incidence on the left side has been described for the majority of right-handed people. PP was a frequent finding in our study and its presence always must be suspected while setting the diagnosis of cervicogenic chronic headache and cervical pain without radiation to upper limbs.

Atlanto-occipital fusion and its neurological complications: a case report

During routine activities in the Laboratory of Human Anatomy at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul – Brazil, an atlanto-occipital fusion was observed in a Caucasian cadaver skull. The skull used in our study had complete fusion of the occipital bone with the atlas vertebra, except in traffic areas of the vertebral arteries. Some important neurological disorders seem to be related with atlanto-occipital fusion. The presence of other anatomical variations was not verified. Thus, the present study shall be important for health sciences and those who keep some interest in pathologies associated with brain.

Study of abnormal foramen over the posterior arch of atlas vertebra / Estudio de forámen anormal sobre el arco posterior de la vértebra atlas

The aim of this research was to study the anatomical aspects of abnormal foramen over the posterior arch of atlas vertebra. Posterior arch of atlas vertebrae was studied for abnormal foramen in sixty-seven adult human atlas vertebrae and findings were noted. In 2.98 percent of cases, unilateral complete abnormal foramen on the posterior arch of atlas vertebra was found. Clinicians should be aware about this variation on posterior arch of atlas, which may produce headache, vertigo, vertebrobasilar insufficiency and shoulder pains.

El objetivo fue observar los aspectos anatómicos de un foramen anormal presente sobre el arco posterior del atlas. Se estudiaron 67 vértebras atlas de humanos adultos. En el 2,98 por ciento de los casos, se encontró un foramen unilateral anormal completo sobre el arco posterior del atlas. Los clínicos deben estar conscientes de esta variación anatómicaen , la cual podría producir cefalea, vértigo, insuficiencia vertebrobasilar y dolores en los hombros.

Ponticulus posticus on the posterior arch of atlas, prevalence analysis in asymptomatic patients / Ponticulus posticus en el arco posterior del atlas, análisis de su prevalencia en pacientes asintomáticos

The Ponticulus posticus is a bony bridge located in the posterior arch of the atlas in relation to the passage of the vertebral artery. Its presence has been associated with development of cervical pain and cerebrovascular disorders. The purpose of this study was to assess its prevalence in asymptomatic patients. We examined 436 digital teleradiographs of patients aged from 5 to 70 years (mean of 18.44 years, SD. 9.59) of both sexes (173 men, 263 women). In 80.7 percent (n = 352) of cases, no radiographic evidence of ossification was found; 19.3 percent showed some degree of ossification, of which 10.1 percent had partial ossification and 9.2 percent complete ossification. The prevalence of complete ossification was slightly higher in women than in men and occurs in all the age groups analyzed. Our results suggest that the Ponticulus posticus is an anatomic condition with a protective function.

El Ponticulus posticus es un puente óseo ubicado en el arco posterior de atlas en relación al paso de la arteria vertebral. Su presencia se ha asociado al desarrollo de cervicalgias y trastornos vasculares encefálicos. El propósito de este estudio fue analizar su prevalencia en pacientes asintomáticos, para ello fueron examinadas 436 teleradiografías digitales de pacientes de entre 5 y 70 años (Media 18,44 años; DS 9,59), de ambos sexos (173 hombres; 263 mujeres). En el 80,7 por ciento (n=352) no se encontraron signos radiograficos de osificación, el 19,3 por ciento de los casos se pudo apreciar algún grado de osificación, de los cuales el 10,1 por ciento presento una osificación parcial y el 9,2 por ciento completa. La prevalencia de osificación completa fue levemente mayor en mujeres y se presentó en todos los grupos etáreos analizados. Nuestros resultados sugieren que el Ponticulus posticus es una condición anatómica destinada a proteger el paso de la arteria verebral y no debe considerarse una calcificación con significado patológico.

Radiological Analysis of Ponticulus Posticus in Koreans

PURPOSE: Since there has been little reporting on the prevalence or morphologic characteristics of ponticulus posticus in Asians, we retrospectively reviewed cervical 3-dimensional CT scan images and plain radiographs which had been ordered by neurosurgeons or orthopaedic surgeons for evaluation of cervical spine problems to investigate the prevalence and morphologic features of the ponticulus posticus in Koreans. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The presence and types of ponticulus posticus were investigated on 200 consecutive cervical 3-D CT scans. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients, 48 ponticulus posticus, complete or partial, bilateral or unilateral, were identified on the 200 cervical 3-D CT scans; therefore, the prevalence was 15.5% in our patient population. In plain radiographs analysis, the prevalence was 6.95%. CONCLUSION: The ponticulus posticus is a relatively common anomaly in Koreans. Therefore, proper identification of this anomaly on preoperative lateral radiographs should alert surgeons to avoid using the ponticulus posticus as a starting point for a lateral mass screw. Because of its size and shape have wide variation, 3-D CT scanning should be considered before lateral mass screw placement into the posterior arch if its presence is suspected or confirmed on radiographs.

Abnormal spicules on the inferior aspect of anterior arch of atlas vertebra.

Anterior arch of the atlas vertebra is known to exhibit various developmental anomalies. Bony outgrowths, osteophytes, clefts and aplasia of the anterior and posterior arches of the atlas have received special attention by research workers. To the best of our knowledge, not many osteological studies have defined the spicules on the anterior arch of the atlas. The present study describes an abnormal atlas vertebra with 2 spicules on the inferior aspect, 2 additional facets inferior to the superior articular facets and a peculiar facet to the left of the posterior tubercle. These abnormal spicules may cause dysphagia or involve atlanto-occipital movements. Such anomalies may be misinterpreted in routine X rays as a degenerative disease. However, asymptomatic cases remain undetected throughout life. Such anomalies may be important in radiological, clinical, forensic and anthropological studies.

Posterior bridging of the atlas vertebra in south Indians.

The vertebral artery is vulnerable to compression in its course between foramen transversarium and the foramen magnum during extreme rotation of the head and neck. This situation may be aggravated by the presence of posterior or lateral bridge of the atlas and result in compromised blood flow. The incidence of the bony ring formed by posterior bridging has been demonstrated in atlases of various races across the world: it varies between 1.875% to 29.2%. In an examination of sixty south Indian atlases it was found in 11.7% of the cases. The presence of this bony bridging should be taken in to account during a surgical manipulation of the cervical spine.