Original Communication

Magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the atlanto-axial interspace

  1. Frank Scali1,*,
  2. Matthew E. Pontell2,
  3. Aaron B. Welk3,
  4. Theodore K. Malmstrom4,
  5. Ewarld Marshall2,
  6. Norman W. Kettner3

Article first published online: 10 MAY 2012

DOI: 10.1002/ca.22094

Issue

Clinical Anatomy

Clinical Anatomy

Volume 26, Issue 4, pages 444–449, May 2013

Additional Information

How to Cite

Scali, F., Pontell, M. E., Welk, A. B., Malmstrom, T. K., Marshall, E. and Kettner, N. W. (2013), Magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the atlanto-axial interspace. Clin. Anat., 26: 444–449. doi: 10.1002/ca.22094

Author Information

  1. 1

    Independent Investigator, Valley Stream, New York

  2. 2

    Department of Anatomy, St. George's University School of Medicine, University Centre, Grenada, West Indies

  3. 3

    Department of Radiology, Logan College of Chiropractic, Chesterfield, Missouri

  4. 4

    Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri

*1272 Dutch Broadway, Valley Stream, NY 11580, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 11 APR 2013
  2. Article first published online: 10 MAY 2012
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 1 APR 2012
  4. Manuscript Revised: 23 MAR 2012
  5. Manuscript Received: 22 FEB 2012

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Keywords:

  • myodural bridge;
  • atlanto-axial interspace;
  • dura mater;
  • rectus capitis posterior major;
  • epidural space;
  • magnetic resonance;
  • cervical spine;
  • MRI;
  • obliquus capitis inferior;
  • suboccipital

Abstract

The objective of this study is to examine the anatomy of the atlanto-axial interspace using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Two hundred and forty MR images of living subjects were examined for the presence of a posterior dural prominence and oblique hypointense fibers between the first and second cervical neural arches. Of the 240 images analyzed, 64% revealed a posterior concavity of the cervical dura mater. Of this, 24% also revealed oblique, linear hypointense fibers that appeared to be in direct contact with the dura mater. Twenty-three percent of the 240 images revealed oblique, linear hypointense fibers. Of the 23% that exhibited these fibers, 76% had an associated posterior thecal concavity of the cervical dura mater. A posterior dural prominence and oblique hypointense fibers were present in the atlanto-axial interspace in a significant number of randomly selected magnetic resonance images. These findings may represent normal, nonpathological anatomy found on MR images and may be related to a recently reported anatomical structure. Clin. Anat. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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