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Shi J, Ermann J, Weissman BN, Smith SE, Mandell JC. Thinking beyond pannus: a review of retro-odontoid pseudotumor due to rheumatoid and non-rheumatoid etiologies. Skeletal Radiol 2019; 48:1511-1523. [PMID: 30868232 DOI: 10.1007/s00256-019-03187-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2018] [Revised: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Retro-odontoid pseudotumor, or mass-like retro-odontoid soft tissue thickening, is an uncommon but important imaging finding that may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis, crystal deposition diseases, as well as non-inflammatory conditions such as cervical degenerative changes and mechanical alterations. Retro-odontoid pseudotumor is commonly associated with atlantoaxial microinstability or subluxation. MRI and CT have an important role in the detection and diagnosis of retro-odontoid pseudotumor. However, due to a wide range of imaging characteristics and ambiguous etiology, it is a frequently misunderstood entity. The purpose of this article is to review relevant anatomy of the craniocervical junction; describe various imaging appearances, pathophysiology and histology in both rheumatoid and non-rheumatoid etiologies; and discuss differential diagnosis of retro-odontoid pseudotumor in order to help guide clinical management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junzi Shi
- Department of Radiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Joerg Ermann
- Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Barbara N Weissman
- Department of Radiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Stacy E Smith
- Department of Radiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jacob C Mandell
- Department of Radiology, Division of Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
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