Abstract:

BACKGROUND: X-ray, CT examinations only show bone structure of craniocervical junction, but not the situation of spinal cord during craniovertebral junction malformation with transoral atlantoaxial reduction plate (TARP) internal fixation surgery.
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the magnetic resonance images before and after craniovertebral junction malformation with TARP internal fixation, so as to evaluate the value of MRI in choosing surgical approach and judging effects of postoperative.
METHODS: A total of 25 patients with craniovertebral junction malformation were selected from June 2009 to April 2010, comprising 9 males and 16 females. All patients underwent X ray, CT, and MRI examination. All patients were treated with TARP internal fixation surgery, and MRI examinations were performed in three months after surgery.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: All patients completed surgery successfully, and did not appear serious complications such as spinal cord vascular injury. MR imaging in 25 patients showed postoperative fixation in site, skeletal of cranio-cervical junction reposition, compression of spinal cord improvement. In 11 cases which were followed up, the original partial upper cervical pain and limited mobility improved or disappeared in 9 cases. MRI can show deformity of craniocervical junction clearly in multi-dimensions, especially for spinal cord and cranio lesions; it may provide an objective basis for choice of surgery, judgment of compression condition of spinal cord and postoperative recovery.