Anterolateral C1-C2 transarticular fixation for atlantoaxial arthrodesis: landmarks, working area, and angles of approach.
BACKGROUND
An alternative route must be used for atlantoaxial arthrodesis to avoid the risks of transoral route or when posterior approaches are contraindicated.


OBJECTIVE
To assess relevant quantitative anatomic parameters for C1-C2 anterolateral transarticular fixation and to demonstrate the nuances of an anterolateral approach to the upper cervical spine.


METHODS
Five cadaveric necks were dissected bilaterally to demonstrate anatomic landmarks and surgical technique. The C2 pars interarticularis was used as the entry for inserting screws toward the C1 lateral mass. Ten computed tomography scans were analyzed to quantify working area and optimal angles of approach.


RESULTS
The medial surface of sternocleidomastoid muscle was dissected extensively but not divided. The C2 transverse process was a landmark for guiding dissection posterior to the carotid sheath. In all specimens, the gray ramus communicans from the superior cervical ganglion to the C2 nerve was a landmark for locating the C2 pars. Slightly below that branch, the longus capitis muscle could be displaced medially to reach the C2 pars. The ideal angles for screw placement were 22.9 +/- 5.7 degrees medial to the sagittal plane and 25.3 +/- 7.4 degrees posterior to the coronal plane. The mean working area was 71.2 mm (range, 49-103 mm).


CONCLUSIONS
We propose a new anterolateral stabilization technique for atlantoaxial instability based on less traumatic dissection of the upper cervical region, different instrumentation, and guidance by reliable landmarks. For anterolateral transarticular C1-C2 screw fixation, the gray ramus communicans to the C2 nerve is a reliable landmark for locating the entry for a screw on the C2 pars.
Cavalcanti
Daniel D
DD
Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Agrawal
Abhishek
A
Garcia-Gonzalez
Ulises
U
Crawford
Neil R
NR
Tavares
Paulo L M S
PL
Theodore
Nicholas
N
Sonntag
Volker K H
VK
Preul
Mark C
MC
D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods