Morphological classification of the tubercle of insertion of the transverse atlantal ligament: A computer tomography-based anatomical study of 200 subjects.
Neuroradiol J
; 32(6): 426-430, 2019 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-31290720
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
The atlantal tubercle is the attachment point of the transverse atlantal ligament, the main stabilizer of the atlantoaxial complex. No system of classification of the tubercle exists in the literature. We aimed to develop a morphologically based classification system of the atlantal tubercle to aid clinicians who deal with craniocervical pathology. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
A retrospective review of computed tomography (CT) scans of the cervical spine was performed. The morphology of the atlantal tubercle was classified into four variants rounded (classical), pointed, flattened, and hypoplastic. Age, presence, and morphological type were recorded.RESULTS:
A total of 200 CT scans were identified and reviewed. The tubercle was present bilaterally in all patients. Patients were equally distributed over various age ranges. The following morphological types were recorded rounded (227/400; 56.8%), pointed (13/400; 3.3%), flattened (126; 31.5%), and hypoplastic (34/400; 8.5%). The same type was seen bilaterally in 68% (135/200) of patients. Morphological types appear equally on the right and left side of the atlas.CONCLUSIONS:
The first morphologically based classification system of the atlantal tubercle utilizing CT is presented. Morphology type, especially hypoplastic type, may confer an increased risk for subsequent need for posterior fusion.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Articulação Atlantoaxial
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Atlas Cervical
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Ligamentos
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article