Coluna/Columna (Mar 2014)

Basilar invagination secondary to hypoplasia of the clivus - Is there indication for craniocervical fixation?

  • Andrei Fernandes Joaquim,
  • Enrico Ghizoni,
  • João Paulo Almeida,
  • Diogo Valli Anderle,
  • Helder Tedeschi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1808-18512014130100292
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 69 – 70

Abstract

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The posterior fossa decompression is a form of treatment suggested for patients with basilar invagination (BI) secondary to hypoplasia symptomatic of the clivus and atlantoaxial alignment preserved. Based on the fact that the worsening of cranial-cervical kyphosis (decrease of clivus-canal angle to less than 150o) can result in anterior brainstem compression, we propose that some patients may benefit from the cranio-cervical fixation. We present a case report of a patient with BI secondary to clivus hypoplasia who underwent cranio-cervical fixation in extension, with a reduction in clivus-canal angle and improvement of symptoms without posterior fossa decompression.

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