C2 Superior Facetal Osteotomy: A Novel Technique in Complex Craniovertebral Junction Surgery for C1 Lateral Mass Screw Placement

Abstract

Complex craniovertebral junction (CVJ) defects account for a considerable proportion of CVJ diseases. Given the heavily assimilated C1, an unfavorable C1–C2 joint orientation, an overriding C2 superior facet, a low-hanging occiput, and an abnormal vertebral artery course with a high-riding vertebral artery, placement of C1 lateral mass screws might be difficult. To address this, a novel technique for placing C1 lateral mass screws that avoid vertebral artery injury, low-hanging occiput, and overriding C2 superior facet was developed in this study. This approach enables firm fixation of C1–C2 even in difficult situations where the placement of the C1 lateral mass is challenging.

Keywords

• atlantoaxial fusion
• atlantoaxial joint
• vertebral artery
• cervical atlas
• atlanto occipital joint