title: The cervicothoracic junction.
abstract: The cervicothoracic junction (CTJ) represents a unique region in the spine because of its biomechanical properties. It is predisposed to various traumatic injuries, tumor, and iatrogenic instability. It is also a difficult region to access anteriorly because of the vital structures ventral to the CTJ. The development of new surgical techniques and new instrumentation has allowed better access and fixation to the CTJ.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
authors.forename: Vincent Y
authors.initials: VY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Dean
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*