title: Magnetic resonance imaging for stenosis and subluxation in Klippel-Feil syndrome.
abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging and radiographs in neutral flexion and extension were used to evaluate 20 pediatric Klippel-Feil patients for subluxation and stenosis. Radiographs showed subluxation of 5 mm or greater in 5 (25%) of the 20 patients for an incidence of 25%. Magnetic resonance imaging documented stenosis of 9 mm or less below C1 in 5 (25%) of the 20 patients. Cord abnormalities were discovered in three (12%) of the patients: one hydromyelia with Arnold-Chiari I malformation and diplomyelia in two. The incidence of stenosis and subluxation was higher than the literature would suggest in this pediatric population. Magnetic resonance imaging is a useful tool and should be used to evaluate Klippel-Feil patients for cord abnormalities and cord compression.
authors.affiliation: Carrie Tingley Hospital, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Ritterbusch
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: McGinty
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spar
authors.forename: W W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Orrison
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007714:Klippel-Feil Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000002:abnormalities; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging