Congenital anomaly of the posterior arch of C1 - Currarino type D

Case contributed by Yaïr Glick
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Cervicalgia (neck pain)

Patient Data

Age: 55 years
Gender: Male

Absence of posterior arch of C1 with only a central "floating" segment; it seems that the posterior tubercle is attached to the occiput (see axial stack). Of note, a minuscule ovoid bony fragment posterior to the left occipital condyle.

Mild hypertrophic degenerative changes of the facet joints at several levels.

Case Discussion

Came for a CT of the cervical spine due to neck pain.

Incidentally discovered absence of the posterior arch of the C1 vertebra, except for a central segment of bone. The posterior tubercle itself, however, appears to comprise the opisthion.

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