title: Profile of patients with craniovertebral junction anomalies with posterior circulation strokes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies are rare and treatable risk factors for posterior circulation strokes (PCSs). Most of the literature comprises case reports and from varied specialities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chart review of patients with PCS with CVJ anomalies admitted in a single tertiary stroke care unit. We describe their clinical profile, investigative findings, and therapeutic outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We saw 7 patients (6 males, mean age 20.1 ± 12.0 years), all previously undiagnosed during the 6-year period. Three patients had a combination of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD), basilar invagination (BI) and Klippel-Feil anomalies, 2 patients had os odontoideum with AAD, and 1 patient each had isolated AAD and BI. Clinically, they presented with first or recurrent episodes of stroke with neck pain. Examination revealed noticeable skeletal markers and neurologic deficits involving the arterial territory. Routine stroke risk factors were absent. X-ray of CVJ was abnormal and diagnostic in all the patients. Other imaging modalities had their own contributions for identifying associated defects, demonstrating pathophysiology, and management of these patients. Acute care with anticoagulation and supportive measures helped in recovery of all of them. Posterior fusion was done in 4 patients, and 2 patients are awaiting the surgery. During follow-up all patients have improved and none had recurrences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In case of a young patient with PCS (first/recurrent) in the absence of routine risk factors for stroke, careful physical examination and imaging with basic X-ray may help in the diagnosis CVJ abnormalities, which may be effectively managed by a multidisciplinary team to prevent recurrences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India. Electronic address: gbk5000@rediffmail.com.
authors.forename: Girish Baburao
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Veerendrakumar
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mustare
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Nupur
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pruthi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Hima
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pendharkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Shailesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Modi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Advaith
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D020520:Brain Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020217:Vertebral Artery Dissection / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants
keywords: Atlantoaxial dislocation; X-ray; basilar invagination; craniovertebral junction; stroke; vertebral artery dissection