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Morimoto LR, Kase DT, Esmanhotto PG, Maciel MA, Augusto ACL, Catricala PF, Anaya JEC, Mukherjee S, Fernandes ARC, Aihara AY. Imaging Assessment of Nontraumatic Pathologic Conditions at the Craniovertebral Junction: A Comprehensive Review. Radiographics 2024; 44:e230137. [PMID: 38635454 DOI: 10.1148/rg.230137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Nontraumatic pathologic conditions of the craniovertebral junction encompass a range of conditions affecting the complex anatomy of this region without direct physical injury. These conditions include congenital syndromes that predispose individuals to ligamentous laxity, potentially leading to instability. Additionally, rare but noteworthy cases such as Grisel syndrome, a cause of pediatric torticollis, may arise without a traumatic trigger. Inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and crystal deposition, can lead to cervical instability and spinal cord compression. Infections at the upper cervical spine are dominated by tuberculosis, typically transmitted through hematologic or lymphatic routes with characteristic imaging findings. On the other hand, purulent bacterial infections in this area are rare. Furthermore, although tumors involving the structures of the craniovertebral junction are infrequent, they can lead to significant complications, albeit less frequently through cord compression and more commonly via pathologic fractures or subluxation. The craniocervical junction is a complex anatomic region comprising ligaments, bones, joints, and muscles that support the head's weight and enable its wide range of motion. Accurate recognition and understanding of the complex anatomy and the various nontraumatic pathologic conditions at the craniovertebral junction are pivotal for initiating timely and appropriate treatment strategies. ©RSNA, 2024 Test Your Knowledge questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Letícia R Morimoto
- From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 800, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil (L.R.M., D.T.K., P.G.E., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., A.R.C.F., A.Y.A.); Dasa Institute for Education and Research (IEPD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (D.T.K., P.G.E., M.A.M., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., J.E.C.A., A.Y.A.); Department of Radiology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil (M.A.M.); Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va (S.M.); and Group of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Rede D'Or São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (A.R.C.F.)
| | - Daisy T Kase
- From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 800, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil (L.R.M., D.T.K., P.G.E., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., A.R.C.F., A.Y.A.); Dasa Institute for Education and Research (IEPD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (D.T.K., P.G.E., M.A.M., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., J.E.C.A., A.Y.A.); Department of Radiology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil (M.A.M.); Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va (S.M.); and Group of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Rede D'Or São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (A.R.C.F.)
| | - Paola G Esmanhotto
- From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 800, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil (L.R.M., D.T.K., P.G.E., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., A.R.C.F., A.Y.A.); Dasa Institute for Education and Research (IEPD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (D.T.K., P.G.E., M.A.M., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., J.E.C.A., A.Y.A.); Department of Radiology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil (M.A.M.); Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va (S.M.); and Group of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Rede D'Or São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (A.R.C.F.)
| | - Murilo A Maciel
- From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 800, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil (L.R.M., D.T.K., P.G.E., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., A.R.C.F., A.Y.A.); Dasa Institute for Education and Research (IEPD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (D.T.K., P.G.E., M.A.M., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., J.E.C.A., A.Y.A.); Department of Radiology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil (M.A.M.); Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va (S.M.); and Group of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Rede D'Or São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (A.R.C.F.)
| | - Ana C L Augusto
- From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 800, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil (L.R.M., D.T.K., P.G.E., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., A.R.C.F., A.Y.A.); Dasa Institute for Education and Research (IEPD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (D.T.K., P.G.E., M.A.M., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., J.E.C.A., A.Y.A.); Department of Radiology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil (M.A.M.); Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va (S.M.); and Group of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Rede D'Or São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (A.R.C.F.)
| | - Patrick F Catricala
- From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 800, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil (L.R.M., D.T.K., P.G.E., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., A.R.C.F., A.Y.A.); Dasa Institute for Education and Research (IEPD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (D.T.K., P.G.E., M.A.M., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., J.E.C.A., A.Y.A.); Department of Radiology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil (M.A.M.); Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va (S.M.); and Group of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Rede D'Or São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (A.R.C.F.)
| | - Julia E C Anaya
- From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 800, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil (L.R.M., D.T.K., P.G.E., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., A.R.C.F., A.Y.A.); Dasa Institute for Education and Research (IEPD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (D.T.K., P.G.E., M.A.M., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., J.E.C.A., A.Y.A.); Department of Radiology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil (M.A.M.); Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va (S.M.); and Group of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Rede D'Or São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (A.R.C.F.)
| | - Sugoto Mukherjee
- From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 800, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil (L.R.M., D.T.K., P.G.E., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., A.R.C.F., A.Y.A.); Dasa Institute for Education and Research (IEPD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (D.T.K., P.G.E., M.A.M., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., J.E.C.A., A.Y.A.); Department of Radiology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil (M.A.M.); Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va (S.M.); and Group of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Rede D'Or São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (A.R.C.F.)
| | - Artur R C Fernandes
- From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 800, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil (L.R.M., D.T.K., P.G.E., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., A.R.C.F., A.Y.A.); Dasa Institute for Education and Research (IEPD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (D.T.K., P.G.E., M.A.M., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., J.E.C.A., A.Y.A.); Department of Radiology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil (M.A.M.); Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va (S.M.); and Group of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Rede D'Or São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (A.R.C.F.)
| | - André Y Aihara
- From the Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), Rua Napoleão de Barros 800, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, SP 04024-002, Brazil (L.R.M., D.T.K., P.G.E., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., A.R.C.F., A.Y.A.); Dasa Institute for Education and Research (IEPD), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (D.T.K., P.G.E., M.A.M., A.C.L.A., P.F.C., J.E.C.A., A.Y.A.); Department of Radiology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Center, São Paulo, Brazil (M.A.M.); Department of Radiology and Medical Imaging, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va (S.M.); and Group of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, Rede D'Or São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil (A.R.C.F.)
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Hong JJ, Kim S, Lee GY, Chung BM. Demonstration of transverse ligament on 3D SPACE MRI in whiplash-associated disorder and nontraumatic conditions. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2024; 33:1171-1178. [PMID: 38141107 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-023-08079-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aims to delineate the three-dimensional (3D) SPACE MRI findings of the transverse ligament (TL) in whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) patients, and to compare them with those from a nontraumatic group. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on cervical spine MRI scans obtained from 46 patients with WAD and 62 nontraumatic individuals. Clinical features, including the WAD grade and stage, were recorded. The TL's morphological grade and the symmetricity of the lateral atlantodental interval was assessed using axial 3D T2-SPACE images. The morphological grading was evaluated using a four-point scale: 0 = homogeneously low signal intensity with normal thickness, 1 = high signal intensity with normal thickness, 2 = reduced thickness, 3 = full-thickness rupture or indistinguishable from surrounding structures. Additionally, the number of cervical levels exhibiting degeneration was documented. RESULTS When comparing the WAD and nontraumatic groups, a significant difference was observed in the proportion of high-grade TL changes (grade 2 or 3) and the number of degenerated cervical levels. Logistic regression analysis revealed that high-grade TL changes and a lower number of degenerative levels independently predicted the presence of WAD. Within the WAD group, the subset of patients with high-grade TL changes demonstrated a significantly higher mean age than the low-grade group (grade 0 or 1). CONCLUSION High-grade morphological changes in the TL can be detected in patients with WAD through the use of 3D SPACE sequences. Clinical relevance statement 3D SPACE MRI could serve as an instrumental tool in the assessment of TL among patients with WAD. Integrating MRI findings with patient history and symptomology could facilitate the identification of potential ligament damage, and may help treatment and follow-up planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Joo Hong
- Department of Radiology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, 102, Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 156-755, Republic of Korea
| | - Sujin Kim
- Department of Radiology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, 102, Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 156-755, Republic of Korea
| | - Guen Young Lee
- Department of Radiology, Chung-Ang University Gwangmyeong Hospital, 110, Deokan‑ro, Gwangmyeong‑si, Gyeonggi‑do, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo Mi Chung
- Department of Radiology, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, 102, Heukseok-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, 156-755, Republic of Korea.
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