Morphometric analysis of the vertebral artery groove of the first cervical vertebra (atlas) (original) (raw)
Related papers
Gross morphology of the bridges over the vertebral artery groove on the atlas
Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy, 2005
The bony bridges of the atlas over the ''groove of the vertebral artery'' are commonly seen in plain radiographs of the cervical spine, and it is a subject of controversy whether they cause compression of the underneath lying vertebral artery. To clarify this we examined a total of 176 dried and complete atlas vertebrae and found the presence of a ''canal for the vertebral artery'' (CVA) in 10.23% and an incomplete ''canal for the vertebral artery'' in 24.43%. The CVA and incomplete CVA is more common in males (11.11% and 24.9%) than in females (9.3% and 24.42%). We found a higher incidence of CVA in laborers (37.5%) than in nonlaborers (4.16%). The incomplete CVA appeared to be more characteristic in the age group of 5-44 years. In the age group of 45-90 years the CVA was characteristic, which probably means that an incomplete CVA is the precursor of a CVA. The superoinferior diameter of the CVA canal ranged from 5.1 to 6.1 mm at the right side and from 4.6 to 5.8 mm at the left side, while the anteroposterior diameter was 5.6-6.9 mm at the right side and 6.1-7.2 mm at the left side. We also found a high incidence of coexistence of CVA and the ''retrotransverse foramen'' (72.22%) which means that because of possible compression of the vertebral veins the blood flow is directed into the small vein of the retrotransverse foramen. Finally, in 93.5% of unilateral CVA a deeply excavated contralateral ''groove of the vertebral artery'' was found.
Surgical neurology international, 2018
The most feared complication while inserting C2 screws is vertebral artery injury. This article proposes predicting the position of the vertebral artery on a true lateral X-ray of the axis vertebra from the background information acquired from the computed tomography (CT) scan utilizing fluoroscopy. Spiral CT scans of 33 C2 vertebrae were performed utilizing a 16-slice CT scanner lateral X-rays of C2 were then obtained before and after painting the vertebral artery grooves with barium. The space available for transarticular and C2 pedicle screw insertion above the vertebral artery groove in the isthmus was then calculated as a ratio for both X-rays and CT scans. There was no statistically significant difference between the (mean) ratios calculated by CT scan and X-rays regarding the space available for transarticular and C2 pedicle screw insertion (left side: 0.3894 vs 0.3897; right side: 0.3892 vs 0.3925; > 0.05). The Kappa test revealed that CT scan and X-ray findings were in a...
Variation of the Groove in the Axis Vertebra for the Vertebral Artery
The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 1997
Transarticular screws at the C1 to C2 level of the cervical spine provide rigid fixation, but there is a danger of injury to a vertebral artery. The risk is related to the technical skill of the surgeon and to variations in local anatomy. We studied the grooves for the vertebral artery in 50 dry specimens of the second cervical vertebra (C2). They were often asymmetrical, and in 11 specimens one of the grooves was deep enough to reduce the internal height of the lateral mass at the point of fixation to ≤2.1 mm, and the width of the pedicle on the inferior surface of C2 to ≤2 mm. In such specimens, the placement of a transarticular screw would put the vertebral artery at extreme risk, and there is not enough bone to allow adequate fixation. Before any decision is made concerning the type of fixation to be used at C2 we recommend that a thin CT section be made at the appropriate angle to show both the depth and any asymmetry of the grooves for the vertebral artery.
Folia Morphologica, 2017
Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the morphometry of the intracranial segment of the vertebral artery in the context of clinical usefulness. The results were compared with published data available in full-text archived medical journals. Materials and methods: More than 100 digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and 3-dimensional (3D) angio-computed tomography (CT) examinations were used to measure the following parameters: the whole and partial length of V 4 in characteristic anatomical points, the diameter in three places (on the level of foramen magnum, in point of exit to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery, and in the vertebro-basilar junction), the angle of connection to the vertebral arteries, and all anatomical variations including fenestration, duplication, dolichoectasia or absent artery. Results: The left V 4 section was predominant over the right artery, which is manifested by length, width, cases of ectasia and fewer cases of hypoplasia. The incidences of V 4 ectasia were identified more often than those documented in the accessible literature, and they were found in the natural location of formation of saccular aneurysms. Conclusions: The presented knowledge of anatomical variation and abnormalities of vertebral circulation can improve the accuracy and "safety" of the surgical procedures in this region, help to determine the range of surgical approach and avoid associated complications. The radiological examinations using 3D CT, DSA reveal unlimited observation of anatomical structures in contrast to studies based on cadavers, and can complement the morphometry in anatomical preparations.
Management of the Vertebral Artery at the Craniocervical Junction
Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 2005
OBJECTIVES: To study the surgical anatomy of the vertebral artery at the craniocervical junction and its related structures defining reliable landmarks for its safe exposure. DESIGN: Ten sides of 5 fresh cadavers were dissected using the lateral approach to the craniocervical junction. RESULTS: Experience gained in studying the anatomic details of the vertebral artery at the craniocervical junction in cadavers from its exit at the transverse foramen of the second cervical vertebra to the vertebrobasilar junction provided the initial background for us to use the lateral approaches to the skull base to safely manage 4 cases with pathology reaching the close vicinity of vertebral artery at the craniocervical junction. CONCLUSION: Thorough knowledge of the anatomy of the vertebral artery is mandatory before attempting surgery at the craniocervical junction. There are reliable landmarks that, when followed, could facilitate safe exposure and identification of the artery.
Morphometric study of vertebral artery groove in dry human cervical vertebra in Pakistani population
Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College, 2021
Introduction: Vertebral artery passes through vertebral artery groove present on the posterior arch of atlas; free movement of which is required during rotation of the neck. This artery can be compressed if the vertebral groove is converted into arcuate foramina due to the projection of bony ponticuli over the grove. This compression can cause vertebra-basilar insufficiency, headache, or neck-shoulder pain of unknown origin. Objective: This study aims to provide data regarding vertebral artery groove and its morphology to help surgeons and clinicians in the local Pakistani population as no data is available in this population. Materials and Methods: A total of sixty adult dry human atlas vertebrae were taken from the Anatomy museum of King Edward medical university. Quantitative and qualitative data were taken for analysis. Quantitative data include the distance of medial and lateral edges of vertebral artery groove from the midline of the posterior arch, the distance of the medial ...
Evaluation of the groove for vertebral artery using CT angiography
Anatomy
Objectives: Groove for vertebral artery (sulcus arteriae vertebralis) is located on the posterior arch of the first cervical vertebra (atlas) where the vertebral artery passes over to reach the foramen magnum. The bony process between the posterior arch and the superior articulating process of the atlas is a common variation usually detected by lateral radiographies. This bony bridge is most commonly named as the ponticulus posticus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the existence of the ponticulus posticus and morphological features of the groove for vertebral artery. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the groove for vertebral artery from 347 head and neck CT angiographies (694 bilaterally