Accessory articulation of the transverse processes in the cervical spine

Abstract

Accessory articulation between the transverse processes of the C6 and C7 vertebrae is an extremely rare anatomic variant that has only been previously described in two instances. In this report, we present the case of a 25-year-old male who sustained numerous injuries associated with a physical assault. A CT study of the cervical spine revealed a linear lucency mimicking a fracture but found on closer inspection to represent an accessory articulation between the anterior tubercles of the right transverse processes of the C6 and C7 vertebrae. In this report, we summarize this patient's clinical course, and provide an up-to-date review of the current literature, imaging characteristics, and potential mechanisms of the development of this anatomic variant. Our case also includes an incomplete version of the anomaly contralaterally as well as features of secondary osseous stress hypertrophy; these features have not been previously described and may aid in diagnosis. Finally, we provide the first-ever augmented reality model of this variant to fully convey its geometry and facilitate its unequivocal identification.

Keywords

• Anatomic variant
• Transitional vertebrae
• Spinal trauma