Recommendations

What age does the dens fuse?

What age does the dens fuse?

The odontoid process forms in utero from two separate ossification centers that fuse in the midline by the 7th fetal month. A secondary ossification center appears at the apex of the odontoid process (os terminale) between 3 and 6 years of age and fuses by age 12 years.

What is the atlanto dens interval?

The atlantodental interval is the horizontal distance between the posterior cortex of the anterior arch of the atlas (C1) and the anterior cortex of the dens in the median (midsagittal) plane.

What are atlas and axis?

The atlas and axis vertebrae are the two most superior bones in the vertebral column, and they are part of the seven cervical vertebrae. The atlas is the top-most bone, sitting just below the skull; it is followed by the axis. Together, they support the skull, facilitate neck movement, and protect the spinal cord.

Is it normal for a child’s spine to stick out?

If your child has lordosis, or swayback, you may notice that their lower back and buttocks stick out more than others. In a normal spine, there is a slight inward curve. Lordosis is a condition in which the inward spinal curve is extreme.

What does the dens develop from?

The second cervical vertebra is the axis (Fig. 3). Its vertebral body is formed by fusion with the vertebral body of the atlas to form the odontoid process (or dens), which is completely separate from the atlas. The laminae of the axis are very well developed and blend into a bifid spinous process.

Is cervical instability fatal?

Cervical instability is a medical condition in which loose ligaments in your upper cervical spine may lead to neuronal damage and a large list of adverse symptoms. If you have cervical instability, you may be experiencing migraines, vertigo, or nausea. Fortunately, this condition is treatable, though not curable.

Is atlantoaxial instability life threatening?

(C1–C2 Subluxation) Atlantoaxial subluxation is usually asymptomatic but may cause vague neck pain, occipital headache, or occasionally intermittent (and potentially fatal) cervical spinal cord compression.

What is the rule of Spence?

The Rule of Spence is a radiologic method to evaluate the likelihood of injury to the transverse atlantal ligament (TAL) on an open mouth AP (“peg”) radiograph.

What can cause a increased ADI?

One of the first findings that we learn to recognize in the radiographic evaluation of the cervical spine is an increase in the atlanto-dental interspace (ADI). This is often the result of an inflammatory arthropathy, with rheumatoid arthritis being the major cause.