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[Foramen retroarticulare atlantis and the vertebral angiogram (author's transl)]
Insights
A rare anatomical variation, the foramen retroarticulare atlantis, is linked to increased frequency of headaches, migraine, and Meniere's syndrome. This variation may cause vertebral artery constriction and related symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Anatomy
- Neurology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- The foramen retroarticulare atlantis is an anatomical variation.
- Headaches, migraine, and Meniere's syndrome are common neurological complaints.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence of the foramen retroarticulare atlantis.
- To determine the relationship between this anatomical variation and the frequency of headaches, migraine, and Meniere's syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Studied 380 patients to determine the incidence of the foramen retroarticulare atlantis.
- Correlated the presence of the foramen with patient-reported symptoms.
- Utilized vertebral artery angiograms to assess for vascular constrictions.
Main Results:
- The foramen retroarticulare atlantis was found to be associated with a higher frequency of headaches, migraine, and Meniere's syndrome.
- Vertebral artery angiograms revealed vascular constrictions in the foramen region in most patients examined.
- Five patients presented with clinical symptoms of mechanical irritation and altered vertebral artery blood flow due to the foramen retroarticulare atlantis.
Conclusions:
- The foramen retroarticulare atlantis may be a contributing factor to headaches, migraine, and Meniere's syndrome.
- Mechanical irritation and altered blood flow in the vertebral artery are potential mechanisms.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the clinical significance.
Abstract:
The incidence of a foramen retroarticulare atlantis in a group of 380 patients was investigated and put in relation to the frequency of headaches, migraine and Meniere's syndrome. These complaints are found more frequently in patients with a retroarticular foramen. Angiograms of the vertebral artery show vascular constrictions in the region of the foramen retroarticulare in the majority of patients examined. In 5 patients, the clinical symptoms of a mechanical irritation with changes in blood flow through the vertebral artery in the region of a foramen retroarticulare atlantis have been described.