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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Radiol Imaging 2016; 26(01): 108-119
DOI: 10.4103/0971-3026.178358
Neuro

CT and MR imaging of odontoid abnormalities: A pictorial review

Nishchint Jain
Department of Radio-Diagnosis, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER and RML), Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
,
Ritu Verma
Department of Radio-Diagnosis, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER and RML), Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
,
Umesh Neuro Garga
Department of Radio-Diagnosis, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER and RML), Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
,
Barinder P Baruah
Department of Radio-Diagnosis, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER and RML), Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
,
Sachin K Jain
Department of Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER and RML), Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
,
Surya N Bhaskar
Department of Neurosurgery, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER and RML), Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, India
› Author Affiliations Financial support and sponsorship Nil.
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Abstract

Odontoid process is the central pillar of the craniovertebral junction. Imaging of this small structure continues to be a challenge for the radiologists due to complex bony and ligamentous anatomy. A wide range of developmental and acquired abnormalities of odontoid have been identified. Their accurate radiologic evaluation is important as different lesions have markedly different clinical course, patient management, and prognosis. This article seeks to provide knowledge for interpreting appearances of odontoid on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with respect to various disease processes, along with providing a quick review of the embryology and relevant anatomy.

Keywords

Anterior longitudinal ligament - atlanto-axial dislocation - atlanto-dental interval - basilar invagination - computed tomography - cranio-vertebral junction - fracture - magnetic resonance imaging - odontoid - posterior longitudinal ligament - transverse atlantal ligament


Publication History

Article published online:
30 July 2021

© 2016. Indian Radiological Association. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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