Abstract
Accurate interpretation of cervical spine imagining can be challenging, especially in children and the elderly. The biomechanics of the developing pediatric spine and age-related degenerative changes predispose these patient populations to injuries centered at the craniocervical junction. In addition, congenital anomalies are common in this region, especially those associated with the axis/dens, due to its complexity in terms of development compared to other vertebral levels. The most common congenital variations of the dens include the os odontoideum and a persistent ossiculum terminale. At times, it is necessary to distinguish normal development, developmental variants, and developmental anomalies from traumatic injuries in the setting of acute traumatic injury. Key imaging features are useful to differentiate between traumatic fractures and normal or variant anatomy acutely; however, the radiologist must first have a basic understanding of the spectrum of normal developmental anatomy and its anatomic variations in order to make an accurate assessment. This review article attempts to provide the basic framework required for accurate interpretation of cervical spine imaging with a focus on the dens, specifically covering the normal development and ossification of the dens, common congenital variants and their various imaging appearances, fracture classifications, imaging appearances, and treatment options.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 159565 |
| Journal | Journal of Clinical Imaging Science |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2015 |
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Keywords
- Cervical vertebrae
- dens axis
- odontoid process
- spinal anatomy
- spinal injuries
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
Cite this
The Dens : Normal Development, Developmental Variants and Anomalies, and Traumatic Injuries. / O'Brien, William; Shen, Peter Y; Lee, Paul.
In: Journal of Clinical Imaging Science, Vol. 5, No. 1, 159565, 01.01.2015.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Dens
T2 - Normal Development, Developmental Variants and Anomalies, and Traumatic Injuries
AU - O'Brien, William
AU - Shen, Peter Y
AU - Lee, Paul
PY - 2015/1/1
Y1 - 2015/1/1
N2 - Accurate interpretation of cervical spine imagining can be challenging, especially in children and the elderly. The biomechanics of the developing pediatric spine and age-related degenerative changes predispose these patient populations to injuries centered at the craniocervical junction. In addition, congenital anomalies are common in this region, especially those associated with the axis/dens, due to its complexity in terms of development compared to other vertebral levels. The most common congenital variations of the dens include the os odontoideum and a persistent ossiculum terminale. At times, it is necessary to distinguish normal development, developmental variants, and developmental anomalies from traumatic injuries in the setting of acute traumatic injury. Key imaging features are useful to differentiate between traumatic fractures and normal or variant anatomy acutely; however, the radiologist must first have a basic understanding of the spectrum of normal developmental anatomy and its anatomic variations in order to make an accurate assessment. This review article attempts to provide the basic framework required for accurate interpretation of cervical spine imaging with a focus on the dens, specifically covering the normal development and ossification of the dens, common congenital variants and their various imaging appearances, fracture classifications, imaging appearances, and treatment options.
AB - Accurate interpretation of cervical spine imagining can be challenging, especially in children and the elderly. The biomechanics of the developing pediatric spine and age-related degenerative changes predispose these patient populations to injuries centered at the craniocervical junction. In addition, congenital anomalies are common in this region, especially those associated with the axis/dens, due to its complexity in terms of development compared to other vertebral levels. The most common congenital variations of the dens include the os odontoideum and a persistent ossiculum terminale. At times, it is necessary to distinguish normal development, developmental variants, and developmental anomalies from traumatic injuries in the setting of acute traumatic injury. Key imaging features are useful to differentiate between traumatic fractures and normal or variant anatomy acutely; however, the radiologist must first have a basic understanding of the spectrum of normal developmental anatomy and its anatomic variations in order to make an accurate assessment. This review article attempts to provide the basic framework required for accurate interpretation of cervical spine imaging with a focus on the dens, specifically covering the normal development and ossification of the dens, common congenital variants and their various imaging appearances, fracture classifications, imaging appearances, and treatment options.
KW - Cervical vertebrae
KW - dens axis
KW - odontoid process
KW - spinal anatomy
KW - spinal injuries
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84940876346&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84940876346&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.4103/2156-7514.159565
DO - 10.4103/2156-7514.159565
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84940876346
VL - 5
JO - Journal of Clinical Imaging Science
JF - Journal of Clinical Imaging Science
SN - 2156-7514
IS - 1
M1 - 159565
ER -