Evaluation of cervical spine abnormalities on cephalometric radiographs

Cephalometric radiographs, a key element of orthodontic diagnosis, contain useful information related to the cervical spine often neglected by orthodontists and medical specialists. This article reviews cervical spine anatomy in a manner that will enable the clinician to trace the cervical spine accurately and detect cervical spine abnormalities. Examples of syndromic, nonsyndromic, and idiopathic anomalies of the cervical spine are presented and their significance discussed. Cephalometric radiographs can be used by clinicians as a potential resource for screening for pathologic abnormalities of the cervical spine and potentially averting some pathologic complications.