Pediatric Craniovertebral Junction Surgery

Pediatric Craniovertebral Junction Surgery

The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) has attracted more attention in pediatric medicine in recent years due to the progress in surgical technologies allowing a direct approach to the CVJ in children. The CVJ is the site of numerous pathologies, most originating in bone anomalies resulting from abnormal CVJ development. Before discussing the surgical approaches to CVJ, three points should be borne...

Craniovertebral Junction Chordomas

Amyloidoma of the craniovertebral junction.

We report a rare case of localized amyloidoma of the craniovertebral junction causing severe myelopathy and respiratory distress and death. The clinical features and the natural history of this rare condition are discussed.

Biomechanics of the Craniovertebral Junction

The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) consists of the occiput and the first two cervical vertebrae, and functions as an articulation point capable of complex motions distinct from the remainder of the spinal column. These unique features make the CVJ more mobile than any of the other joints in the cervical spinal column, and important biomechanical properties must be understood in order to properl...

Unusual fracture dislocation of the craniovertebral junction.

A 47-year-old man was struck on the back of the lower part of the neck by a falling tree, and became quadriplegic and lost tactile sensibility on falling to the ground. Some mild improvement in symptoms occurred during the next 10 to 20 minutes. No significant facial injuries were present. Neurosurgical evaluation diagnosed central cord syndrome, with injury at the C5-6 level. Radiographs showe...