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Kinematic magnetic resonance imaging study of the brain stem and cervical cord by dynamic neck motion
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Abstract
Background: The aim was to examine the position of the brain stem and cervical cord following the neck flexion and extension.
Materials and methods: The serial sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sections of the cervical cord and brain stem were made in 6 volunteers. The images were mainly used to measure certain distances and angles of the brain stem and cervical cord in the neutral position, and then following the head and neck flexion and extension.
Results: The measurements showed that the pons is slightly closer to the clivus following the neck flexion; the medulla oblongata is somewhat distant to the basion but closer to the odontoid process. At the same time, the spino-medullary angle diminishes in size. On the other hand, the upper cervical cord slightly approaches the posterior wall of the spinal canal, the lower cervical cord is closer to the anterior wall, while the angle between them is significantly larger in size. After the cervical cord extension, the rostral pons is somewhat distant to the clivus, whereas the caudal pons and the medulla are slightly closer to the clivus and the basion. At the same time, the spino-medullary angle diminishes in size. The cervical cord is mainly closer to the posterior wall of the spinal canal, whilst its angle is significantly smaller.
Conclusions: The obtained results regarding the brain stem and cervical cord motion can be useful in the kinetic MRI examination of certain congenital disorders, degenerative diseases, and traumatic injuries of the craniovertebral junction and the cervical spine.
Abstract
Background: The aim was to examine the position of the brain stem and cervical cord following the neck flexion and extension.
Materials and methods: The serial sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sections of the cervical cord and brain stem were made in 6 volunteers. The images were mainly used to measure certain distances and angles of the brain stem and cervical cord in the neutral position, and then following the head and neck flexion and extension.
Results: The measurements showed that the pons is slightly closer to the clivus following the neck flexion; the medulla oblongata is somewhat distant to the basion but closer to the odontoid process. At the same time, the spino-medullary angle diminishes in size. On the other hand, the upper cervical cord slightly approaches the posterior wall of the spinal canal, the lower cervical cord is closer to the anterior wall, while the angle between them is significantly larger in size. After the cervical cord extension, the rostral pons is somewhat distant to the clivus, whereas the caudal pons and the medulla are slightly closer to the clivus and the basion. At the same time, the spino-medullary angle diminishes in size. The cervical cord is mainly closer to the posterior wall of the spinal canal, whilst its angle is significantly smaller.
Conclusions: The obtained results regarding the brain stem and cervical cord motion can be useful in the kinetic MRI examination of certain congenital disorders, degenerative diseases, and traumatic injuries of the craniovertebral junction and the cervical spine.
Keywords
brain stem, craniovertebral junction, movement, radiology, spinal cord
About this articleTitle
Kinematic magnetic resonance imaging study of the brain stem and cervical cord by dynamic neck motion
Journal
Issue
Article type
Original article
Pages
439-447
Published online
2016-03-17
Page views
1643
Article views/downloads
1094
DOI
Pubmed
Bibliographic record
Folia Morphol 2016;75(4):439-447.
Keywords
brain stem
craniovertebral junction
movement
radiology
spinal cord
Authors
M. Mališ
B. Georgievski
I. Milić
A. Mijatović
V. Kovačević
D. Lazić
S. Kapor
S. Marinkovic
