title: Magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the atlanto-axial interspace.
abstract: The objective of this study is to examine the anatomy of the atlanto-axial interspace using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Two hundred and forty MR images of living subjects were examined for the presence of a posterior dural prominence and oblique hypointense fibers between the first and second cervical neural arches. Of the 240 images analyzed, 64% revealed a posterior concavity of the cervical dura mater. Of this, 24% also revealed oblique, linear hypointense fibers that appeared to be in direct contact with the dura mater. Twenty-three percent of the 240 images revealed oblique, linear hypointense fibers. Of the 23% that exhibited these fibers, 76% had an associated posterior thecal concavity of the cervical dura mater. A posterior dural prominence and oblique hypointense fibers were present in the atlanto-axial interspace in a significant number of randomly selected magnetic resonance images. These findings may represent normal, nonpathological anatomy found on MR images and may be related to a recently reported anatomical structure.
authors.affiliation: drfrankscali@gmail.com
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scali
authors.forename: Matthew E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Pontell
authors.forename: Aaron B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Welk
authors.forename: Theodore K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Malmstrom
authors.forename: Ewarld
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marshall
authors.forename: Norman W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Kettner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged