Open AccessAn Osteological Study of Occipitocervical Synostosis: Its Embryological and Clinical Significance
Author(s) -
Mudaliar Rp,
Shailaja Shetty,
Komala Nanjundaiah,
Jeevan Kumar,
Kc J
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of clinical and diagnostic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2249-782X
pISSN - 0973-709X
DOI - 10.7860/jcdr/2013/6611.3327
Subject(s) - synostosis , medicine , occipital bone , foramen magnum , anatomy , skull , atlas (anatomy) , vertebral artery , vertebra
Synostosis or fusion of atlas with occipital bone is known as occipitocervical synostosis, occipitalization of the atlas, or atlanto-occipital fusion. This is a rare congenital malformation at craniovertebral junction. Its incidence ranges from 0.08%-3% in general population. Occipitocervical synostosis result in narrowing of foramen magnum which may compress the brain stem, vertebral artery and cranial nerves. Knowledge of occipitocervical synostosis is important for the surgeons during the surgeries in the craniovertebral region. Hence, the present study was undertaken to determine the incidence and to describe the morphology of the occipitocervical synostosis.