Occipitocervical Junction Disorders
My role as a pediatric neurosurgeon in the treatment of occipitocervical junction disorders, includes diagnosis, treatment, and management of various neurological conditions and complications affecting the junction between the skull (occipital bone) and the upper cervical spine. This region is critical for supporting the head and facilitating important neurological functions. Below is a list of occipitocervical pathologies that my team and I can address in your child:
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Chiari Malformation: A condition in which the cerebellar tonsils descend through the foramen magnum (base of the skull), potentially causing compression of the brainstem and spinal cord.
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Atlantoaxial Instability: Abnormal movement or misalignment between the first and second cervical vertebrae (atlas and axis), which can compress the spinal cord and cause neurological deficits.
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Craniovertebral Junction Anomalies: Congenital abnormalities at the junction between the skull and cervical spine, such as basilar invagination or os odontoideum.
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Occipital Neuralgia: Severe pain originating from the occipital nerves leading to debilitating headaches.
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Occipitocervical Fusion: Surgical procedure to stabilize the occipital bone and cervical spine, often performed for conditions involving instability, deformity, or trauma.
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Occipitocervical Dislocation: Complete separation between the occipital bone and the upper cervical spine, usually caused by trauma; this condition carries significant morbidity and requires instrumented fusion.
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Upper Cervical Spine Fractures: Fractures of the upper cervical spine, often involving the atlas (C1) , axis (C2) vertebrae, or cervical level 3 to 7(C3-7).
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Occipital Encephalocele: A congenital defect where brain tissue protrudes through an opening in the occipital bone.
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Occipitocervical Synostosis: Premature fusion of the occipital and cervical bones, resulting in abnormal skull and cervical spine development.
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Achondroplasia: A genetic disorder causing abnormal bone growth, including the skull and spine. This almost always manifest in presentation similar to that of a Chiari and requires decompression.
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Congenital Spinal Malformation: Various congenital abnormalities of the spine affecting the formation of bone that can lead to scoliosis or malalignement.
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Aneurysmal Bone Cyst: A benign bone tumor that can occur often in the cervical spine and causes local destruction, requiring resecton.