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Hypoplasia of the atlas causing cervical myelopathy with situs inversus totalis
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kagoshima Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Japan.
Study Design:
A case report of myelopathic hypoplasia of the atlas with situs inversus totalis.
Objectives:
To describe a case of cervical myelopathy caused by hypoplasia of the atlas with situs inversus totalis, and to briefly review the pertinent literature.
Setting:
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kagoshima, Japan.
Methods:
The history, results of examination, and findings of radiographic imaging studies for a 56-year-old man with a 10-year history of progressive myelopathy who presented to our hospital are described.
Results:
Imaging studies revealed congenital hypoplasia of the atlas, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament at the levels of C3-C4, and situs inversus totalis. He underwent laminectomy of the atlas and laminoplasty of C3-C7 for decompression of the spinal cord. Operative intervention resulted in significant neurological improvement and relief of occipital neuralgia.
Conclusion:
To our knowledge, no case of myelopathic hypoplasia of the atlas with situs inversus totalis has previously been described. When encountering inherited disorders such as situs inversus totalis, a thorough search must be made for anomalies of the craniovertebral junction.
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