Occipitalization of atlas vertebra- A Case report

During routine activities in the department of Anatomy,GSVM, Medical College Kanpur(U.P), an atlanto-occipital fusion was observed in cadaveric skull. The skull used in our study had complete fusion of the atlas vertebra with occipital bone along with ossification of atlanto-occipital membranes. The knowledge of such a fusion may be of importance for radiologists, anaesthetist, orthopedic and neurosurgeons because skeletal abnormalities at the craniocervical junction may result in sudden unexpected death. It can result in dysphagia, dysarthria or torticollis because of compression of cranial nerves. Neurosurgeons should be aware that such an anomaly may exist without any typical symptomatic presentation, and thus serious consequences of upper cervical spinal manipulative therapy may arise when a complete and adequate clinical assessment is missed. Key WordsAtlanto-occipital fusion, cranio-cervical junction, Atlas, Cervical spine.