Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Musculoskeletal, Musculoskeletal spine, Musculoskeletal system, CT, MR, Education, Arthritides, Not applicable
Authors:
L. Ceccarelli, F. Ponti, P. Spinnato, R. Clinca, L. Lotrecchiano, G. Facchini; Bologna/IT
DOI:
10.26044/ecr2020/C-13799
Background
The craniocervical junction is a joint made of the occiput, atlas, odontoid process and ligamentous support structures. It has contact with nerve structures, including the medulla oblongata, spinal cord and lower cranial nerves. MRI is the reference imaging technique to assess pathological findings at this level, allowing an excellent morphological definition of structures, particularly soft tissue. CT allows a better visualization of bone alterations and is useful for craniometric measurements.
The craniocervical junction may be involved in several musculoskeletal disorders. Early diagnosis is essential to avoid neurological dysfunction or even death. In the context of chronic inflammatory joint diseases, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is certainly a condition that frequently affects the cervical spine. However, the involvement of the atlantoaxial joint is also present in spondylarthritis, in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), in crystal-associated arthropathies and rarely in infectious processes.