title: [Roles of computed tomography in the diagnosis and treatment of complex atlas pillow deformity].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the roles of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis and treatment of complex atlas pillow deformity.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2010 to February 2012, the preoperative and postoperative CT imaging findings were collected from 32 cases of complicated atlas pillow deformity undergoing surgical treatment at Henan Provincial People's Hospital. There were 18 males and 14 females with a mean age of 36.8 years (range: 23 - 65). The average duration of disease was 4.5 years (range: 0.25 - 10).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 32 cases, a definite diagnosis was established preoperatively by coronary sagittal CT scans and 3-dimensional reconstruction. And CT re-examinations were performed to review the postoperative curative efficacies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT imaging examination is of vital importance in the diagnosis, personalized surgical procedures and prognostic evaluation of complex craniocervical junction deformity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, China. adam7055@sina.com
authors.forename: Hang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hai-yang
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xi-wen
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yan-zheng
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Kun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009139:Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult