Ponticulus posticus

Case contributed by Rob Foley
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Pain in left neck with weakness left shoulder.

Patient Data

Age: 70 years
Gender: Male
x-ray

Normal alignment of the cervical vertebrae noted.

Severe degenerative changes at C5/C6 with large anterior marginal osteophyte.

Less marked degenerative changes at C4/C5 and C3/C4.

Complete Ponticulus posticus of C1. 

Case Discussion

Ponticulus posticus is an important anatomical variant to be aware of and has been associated with a number of clinical symptoms including 1,2;

  • vertigo
  • migraine
  • headache
  • neck pain
  • retro-orbital pain
  • hearing loss shoulder / arm pain

These symptoms are thought to occur secondary to decreased vertebral artery blood flow.

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