Craniocervical Research Articles

Three-dimensional evaluation of upper pharyngeal airway, hyoid bone, and craniocervical changes following stabilization splint therapy in adult patients with temporomandibular joint disorders and mandibular deviation: A retrospective study

ObjectiveThis study aimed primarily to analyze the three-dimensional (3D) changes in the pharyngeal airway (PA), and secondarily, the hyoid bone (HB) and the craniocervical (CC) following stabilization splint (SS) therapy in adult patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) and mandibular deviation (MD). MethodsThirty-five adult patients with TMD and MD, who were treated using SS with a mean age of 25.14 ± 6.11 years, were enrolled in this retrospective clinical study. Pre- and post-therapeutic cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were analyzed. PA dimension,nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, sub-hypopharyngeal, and total pharyngeal airway spaces were measured in surface area, volume, minimum constricted area (MCA) and width, HB position, and CC posture were analyzed three-dimensionally using InVivo 6.0.3 and Dolphin 11.95 software. Wilcoxon rank-sum or Paired t-test was conducted, and P < 0.05 was considered significant. ResultsSS therapy was administered for a period of 9.49 ± 4.02 months. The oropharyngeal airway space showed a significant decrease in sagittal width. The hypopharyngeal surface area, volume, MCA, and sagittal width decreased significantly. In terms of HB, hyoid–mandibular plane (H-MP), retrognathia–third vertebra's most inferior–anterior (RGN-C3ia), and retrognathia–Sella (RGN-S) distances significantly decreased. The Nasion–Sella line and the line that passes through C2ip to the odontoid process posterior tangent (NSL-OPT) angle in CC posture also decreased significantly. ConclusionSS therapy in TMD patients with MD mainly results in narrowing of the hypopharyngeal region, no change in HB position and improvement in head posture. These results undoubtedly assist in diagnosis and treatment of clinical conditions.

Onyx© Embolization of Dural Arteriovenous Fistulae at the Cranio-Cervical Junction (P8-5.024)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To report two cases of CRC fistula treated successfully with endovascular embolization with Onyx©. <h3>Background:</h3> Dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) are rare vascular malformations; a rare subset of this group are dAVFs located at the cranio-cervical junction. Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is one of the possible neurological complications of cranio-cervical (CRC) fistula rupture. Treatment options include radiosurgery, endovascular embolization and/or open surgery. The use of liquid embolic agent is a reasonable option for endovascular treatment. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> A single institution retrospective case report identified two case of cranio-cervical junction (CRC) fistulae that were treated successfully with Onyx© embolization. <h3>Results:</h3> Two patients were identified to have cranio-cervical junction DAVF in which one patient presented with SAH, and the 2^nd patient presented with bulbar symptoms due to rapidly worsening edema in the brainstem. Both fistulas were supplied from the vertebral artery; one at the level of Dural ring of the vertebral artery and the other at the jugular foramen level which was also supplied by ascending pharyngeal artery. Onyx© embolization was the treatment of choice in both cases. The Onyx© embolization resulted in 80% reduction of the fistula nidus in the first case, and complete occlusion of the fistula in the second and the third case. The 6 months follow-up revealed complete occlusion of both fistulas with complete neurological recovery <h3>Conclusions:</h3> This case series suggests that the treatment of CRC fistulae with Onyx© embolization is efficacious with good clinical outcomes. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Gharaibeh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Al-Chalabi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Oliver has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jumaa has nothing to disclose.

Differential Strength and Endurance Parameters of the Craniocervical and Cervicothoracic Extensors and Flexors in Healthy Individuals.

This study examined isometric strength (maximal voluntary contraction [MVC]) and endurance of cervical flexor and extensor muscles in healthy individuals at the craniocervical (CC) and cervicothoracic (CT) axes. MVC and endurance measures (time to task failure in seconds [s]) at 50% MVC were recorded in 4 directions (CC flexion, CC extension, CT flexion, and CT extension) in 20 males and 20 females, and 6 strength and endurance ratios were calculated. The findings showed that the cervical extensor muscles are not only much stronger than the flexors (1.3-2 times greater MVC), but also have greater capacity for endurance (2-2.4 times greater). While males produced significantly greater MVC recordings than females (P < .003), strength ratios (P > .06) and endurance measures (P > .11) were similar. Endurance ratios were also similar except the CT extension to CC flexion ratio, which was significantly larger in females compared with males (P = .03). These findings demonstrate that substantial but normal variation exists in strength and endurance parameters between cervical flexor and extensor muscles. This is informative to clinicians when evaluating the performance of these neck muscles or when deciding on exercise parameters (eg, load, duration) when training their performance.

Correlation between cervical flexor muscle thickness and craniocervical flexion torque in healthy subjects

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the size of the cervical flexor muscles and craniocervical (CC) flexion torque.Thirty-eight healthy men participated in this study. Thickness of the deep cervical flexor (DCF) and sternocleidomastoid (SM) muscles were measured using ultrasonography. Maximal isometric CC flexion torque was measured using dynamometry. The DCF and SM muscle thickness and CC flexion torque were normalized relative to body weight. Correlations between normalized muscle thickness and normalized CC flexion torque were determined.A significant positive correlation was observed between normalized DCF muscle thickness and normalized CC flexion torque (r = 0.361, P = 0.028), whereas there was no significant correlation between normalized SM muscle thickness and normalized CC flexion torque (r = 0.233, P = 0.166).DCF muscle thickness appears to have potential clinical application in the performance of CC flexion.

A new device for measuring isometric force of the craniocervical flexor and extensor muscles and its reliability

Objective: Craniocervical (CC) muscles control posture of the CC area. Muscle imbalance at this area induces musculoskeletal disorders. The purpose of this study was to develop a device for measuring isometric force of CC flexor and extensor muscles and to evaluate its intra-rater reliability.Method: Isometric force of CC flexor and extensor muscles was measured in 20 women by one examiner on two days with a custom-made device. The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurements (SEM), smallest detectable difference (SDD), and Pearson correlation coefficient were computed.Results: The results of this study revealed that this device had excellent reliability (ICC: 0.98, SEM: 2.29 N, SDD: 6.36 N, Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.97 for CC flexor muscles and ICC: 0.97, SEM: 2.13 N, SDD: 5.91 N, Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.94 for CC extensor muscles).Discussion: This new device can improve knowledge about the CC muscle and efficacy of treatments in patients with poor posture.

Comparison of isometric force of the craniocervical flexor and extensor muscles between women with and without forward head posture

Objective: The stability of the craniocervical (CC) area is provided by CC muscles. Muscle imbalance between forces of these muscles may lead to forward head posture (FHP). FHP is one of the most prevalent abnormal postures in patients with neck pain. The aim of the present study was to compare isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles between women with and without FHP.Method: Isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles was measured by a custom-made device and compared between 70 women with and without FHP (35 in each group).Results: No significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding isometric force of the CC flexor and extensor muscles, but the ratio of the isometric force of the CC muscles (flexor to extensor) revealed significant difference between the two groups, and it was greater in the control group compared with that in the FHP group.Discussion: The ratio of isometric force of the CC muscles (flexor to extensor) may be a good indicator for assessment of patients with FHP. This ratio may also be valuable to follow the results of therapeutic intervention for these patients.

A case report of craniovertebral junction intradural extramedullary neurenteric cyst

A neurenteric cyst of the craniocervical (CV) junction, as a cause of bulbomedullary compression, is very rare. An abnormal communication between the endoderm and neuroectoderm during the third week of embryogenesis may be responsible for its formation. It is a rare spinal condition. The most frequent location is at the lower cervical and higher thoracic spine. Neurenteric cysts of the craniocervical junction are even rarer. We report the case of a CV junction intradural neurenteric cyst. <br>Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of our patient demonstrated an intradural extramedullary process of the craniocervical junction. A surgical posterior approach allowed gross total resection of the lesion. The histopathology of the surgical specimen showed that the cyst wall was made up of fibrocollagen walls lined with a partially ciliated columnar epithelium.

Quantification of synovitis in the cranio-cervical region: Dynamic contrast enhanced and diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging in early rheumatoid arthritis—A feasibility follow up study

ObjectiveTo test the feasibility of dynamic contrast enhanced (DCEI) and diffusion weighted (DWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for quantifying synovitis of the cranio-cervical (C-C) region in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and neck pain at the beginning and at a six month follow up. Methods27 patients with duration of RA of less than 24 months and neck pain were studied with standard qualitative MRI evaluation and two quantitative MRI methods (DCEI and DWI) at the level of atlantoaxial joints. Rate of early enhancement (REE), enhancement gradient (Genh) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were extracted from DCEI and DWI data. MRI was coupled with clinical assessment and radiographic imaging. ResultsUsing standard qualitative MRI evaluation, unequivocal active synovitis (grade 2 or 3 contrast enhancement) was proved in 16 (59%) patients at baseline and 14 (54%) at follow up. DCEI and DWI measurements confirmed active synovitis in 25 (93%) patients at baseline and 24 (92%) at follow up. Average REE, Genh and ADC values decreased during follow up, however the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Both qualitative and quantitative MRI methods confirmed active inflammatory disease in the C-C region following therapy although all clinical criteria showed signs of improvement of the peripheral disease. ConclusionsThe study proved the feasibility of DCEI and DWI MRI for quantifying synovitis of the C-C region in patients with early RA and neck pain. Both techniques can be used as additional method for evaluation of synovitis of the C-C region in RA.

THE EFFECT OF CRANIO-CERVICAL EXERCISE INTERVENTION AND STRENGTH ENDURANCE TRAINING IN NECK PAIN

Prolong computer work without proper ergonomics can lead to neck pain which ultimately causes serious problems like muscle imbalance, headache, poor work performance. The purpose of this study is not only to promote awareness of correct exercise regime and to compare two exercise interventions in improvement of neck pain, also effect of these regimes on nine different components of daily living activities like headache, work performance, concentration. Experimental, Randomized control trail (RCT) 68 participants took part in the study and were divided randomly into two groups. Group one received cranio- cervical (CC) regime of 06 weeks and second group was given treatment in 2 stages. First stage comprise of minimum repetition exercise which was upgraded to three set with weight in second stage. The chief impact was seen as the reduction of pain intensity in both interventions. Subjects with neck pain of both groups proven a change in neck pain pre Neck Disability Index (NDI) mean of CC, group01 (mean 19.18, std 5.2, p&lt;0.05), and post NDI score of CC group 01 (mean=6.18,std=6, p&lt;0.05) while in strength endurance (SE) group pre-score (mean=18.6, std=6.3, p&lt;0.05) And post NDI score (mean=7,std=6, p&lt;0.05) . Both groups proved significant reduction in neck pain. This study showed that participant who had received cranio-cervical regime and strength endurance training significantly improves their work performance as well as neck pain. However, CC group showed improvement regarding work performance and headache while SE group demonstrated significant improvement in weight lifting than second group.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the ligaments of the craniocervical region at 3Tesla magnetic resonance unit: Quantitative and qualitative assessment

Purpose: The assessment of the morphology and dimensions of the craniocervical ligaments using a 3 Tesla (T) Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanner, the correlatation of our results with those from cadaveric and other MR studies and the detection of the most appropriate sequence for the best imaging of the craniovertebral junction ligaments. Methods: 58 healthy volunteers (mean age 45 years) underwent a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine at 3T MR unit. The MRI protocol included axial, coronal and sagittal Proton-Density (PD) sequences and sagittal T1 Fluid Attenuated Inversion Recovery (FLAIR) and T2 sequences. The images were evaluated by two radiologists and the posterior atlantoocipital ligament, the anterior atlantoocipital ligament, the transverse ligament and the apical ligament were anatomically detected, described and measured. Results: The transverse ligament was identified at 93.1%, the apical ligament was identified at 60.34%, the posterior at- lantooccipital membrane was identified at 94.8% and the anterior atlantooccipital membrane was identified at 96.5% of the cases. All ligaments appeared with low signal intensity, except the anterior atlantooc-cipital ligament which appeared with intermediate signal intensity. Their length, width and thickness were measured and, in general, correlated well with other anatomic and MR studies. Conclusion: Reliable assessment of the morphology and signal intensity of the craniocervical ligaments can be achieved with PD sequence at 3T MR imaging. The sagittal plane provides better delineation of the craniocervical (CC) ligaments but the axial and coronal planes are of paramount importance in the assessment of the transverse and apical ligaments.

A Comparison of Craniocervical and Cervicothoracic Muscle Strength in Healthy Individuals

The purpose of this study was to compare maximal torque exerted about the craniocervical (CC) and cervicothoracic (CT) axes in the sagittal plane using a novel dynamometry device. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) recordings in newton-meters (N·m) were measured in 20 males and 20 females for each of 4 tests: CT extension, CT flexion, CC extension, CC flexion. Twenty of the volunteers repeated the testing procedure on a second occasion to determine the test-retest repeatability of the measures. MVC recordings at the CT axis (extension, 30.24 ± 12.15 N·m; flexion, 18.90 ± 8.21 N·m) were 1.4-2 times greater than recordings at the CC axis (extension, 16.46 ± 7.26 N·m; flexion, 13.34 ± 5.97 N·m). Extensor to flexor strength ratios reduced from 1.75 at the CT axis to 1.24 at the CC axis, but were similar for both males and females. Good to excellent test-retest repeatability was demonstrated for all tests (ICC = 0.75-0.99, SEM = 0.50-2.44 N·m). Consistent with differences in the muscle morphology at the CC and CT axes, torque exerted about these axes differ. Separate measurement of torque about these axes potentially offers a more comprehensive profile of cervical muscle strength.

Biomechanics of the Spine III. The Cranio—Cervical Junction

By virtue of its unique anatomy and functions the cranial-cervical junction was excluded in previous reviews on the general biomechanics of the spine, being a world apart. The special design of the cranial-cervical (CCJ) junction responds to seemingly opposed necessities being at same time loose enough to allow a great variety of movements and strong enough to preserve the spinal cord and vertebral arteries and to resist the head weight and muscular action. The primary goal of the CCJ is to ensure the maximal mobility of the head for visual and auditory exploration of space. Like a cardan joint the CCJ allows simultaneous independent movements about three axes in order to repeat and extend eye movements under the control of vestibular receptors. Several muscular groups and a number of ligaments control the movements of the CCJ and ensure its stability. Although composed of two seemingly distinct joints the CCJ forms a unique functional complex whose stability is ensured by ligaments and bony restraints often operating on both joint components: the occipitoatlantal and atlantoaxial joints.

A New Method of Isometric Dynamometry for the Craniocervical Flexor Muscles

A new method of dynamometry has been developed to measure the performance of the craniocervical (CC) flexor muscles by recording the torque that these muscles exert on the cranium around the CC junction. This report describes the method, the specifications of the instrument, and the preliminary reliability data. For the reliability study, 20 subjects (12 subjects with a history of neck pain, 8 subjects without a history of neck pain) performed, on 2 occasions, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) tests of CC flexion in 3 positions within the range of CC flexion and submaximal sustained tests (20% and 50% of MVIC) in the middle range of CC flexion (craniocervical neutral position). Reliability coefficients were calculated to establish the test-retest reliability of the measurements. The method demonstrated good reliability over 2 sessions in the measurement of MVIC (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]=.79-.93, SEM=0.6-1.4 N x m) and in the measurement of steadiness (standard deviation of torque amplitude) of a sustained contraction at 20% of MVIC (ICC=.74-.80, SEM=0.01 N x m), but not at 50% of MVIC (ICC=.07-.76, SEM=0.04-0.13 N x m). The new dynamometry method appears to have potential clinical application in the measurement of craniocervical flexor muscle performance.