background: this study aimed to investigate the pedicle dimension and angulation in cervicothoracic junction (ctj) using the findings of computed tomographic (ct) to help accurate insertion of pedicular screw. methods: forty three patients with high quality ct images of ctj were evaluated. pedicle width (pw), pedicle height (ph), pedicle axis length (pal), transverse angle (ta) and sagittal ang...

Surgical approaches to the cervicothoracic junction frequently involve complicated dissection because of the restricted accessibility during the procedure and the close proximity of the great vessels. Common indications for surgical intervention include infections, neoplasms, and fractures. Approaches described here are useful for pathologies of the difficult-to-access upper thoracic spine (T1–...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether a swimmer's view or supine (trauma) oblique views are more likely to visualise the lower cervical spine when a lateral view fails to show the cervicothoracic junction. DESIGN A prospective study comparing two 20 week periods. In the first phase the swimmer's view was performed as an additional view when the cervicothoracic junction was not demonstrated. In the s...

Dislocations of the cervicothoracic junction are frequently missed. Experience of this rare injury over 27 years at the Spinal Injuries Unit in Sheffield confirms that nearly two-thirds were not properly diagnosed on admission. Only two of the 14 dislocations studied were reduced by conservative methods and these were both associated with fractures of the posterior bony elements. Open reduction...

The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) is a region of the spine submitted to significant mechanical stress. peculiar anatomical and biomechanical characteristics make posterior surgical stabilization this area particularly challenging. We present discuss our series highlighting specific challenges provided by spine. have analyzed reported retrospective data from patients who underwent instrumentati...

The authors report on a patient presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage that was caused by a rupture of an spinal combined arteriovenous malformation at cervicothoracic junction. The patient was a 30-year-old female, who had exhibited an abrupt onset of severe low neck and occipital pain with radiation into shoulders and vomiting. Neurological examination revealed severe meningism without motor...

Lesions of the cervicothoracic junction have a high propensity for causing instability and present unique challenges in the surgical treatment. Several surgical approaches to this region have been described in the literature. We report our experience in the surgical treatment of six patients with unstable lesions involving the cervicothoracic junction at T1 and T2 vertebral bodies. The patients...

A 70-year-old woman with a history of motor vehicle versus train accident, previous thoracic and lumbar fusion, and recent cervical fusion was admitted for severe upper back pain, difficulty with balance, weakness of lower extremities, and progressive kyphosis. On examination, the patient was found to have diffused myelopathy and paraparesis throughout her lower extremities. She requires a walk...

Direct anterior approach to the cervicothoracic spine (C7-T4) poses a technical challenge in neurosurgery, due to the presence of important neurovascular structures anterior to the cervicothoracic junction (CTJ). Median Sternotomy approach is a surgical option that allows for direct anterior exposure of the lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae. We report the first case from Ghana, West A...