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Updated: Sep 11, 2025

Comprehensive Endovascular and Open Surgical Management of Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations
Published on: October 20, 2017
Posterior Decompression and Arthrodesis in Congenital Atlantoaxial Subluxation and Associated Complex Vertebral
Nikhil Goyal1, Pratibha Bhatia2, Siddharth S Sethy1
1Department of Orthopedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Rishikesh, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India.
Introduction:
The overall incidence of vertebral artery (VA) variations is 2-3%, but among patients with congenital anomalies at the cranio-vertebral junction, it is 20%. Knowing these anomalies is important, if failed to recognize can lead to VA injury during surgery and subsequent cerebrovascular accidents.
Case Report:
A 14-year-old boy presenting with progressive weakness of bilateral upper limb and lower limb was diagnosed as case of supra-axial cervical myelopathy due to congenital atlantoaxial subluxation with fenestration of VA and high-riding VA. The patient underwent posterior decompression and fusion using C1 lateral mass and C2 laminar screw rod construct.
Conclusion:
A thorough evaluation of the anatomy of the craniovertebral joint is required in congenital pathologies, and a patient-specific treatment approach should be used. Surgical management can effectively alleviate symptoms and prevent complications, but careful consideration must be given to the risks and benefits of different surgical techniques.

