Cervical myelopathy and congenital stenosis from hypoplasia of the atlas: report of three cases and literature review.

STUDY DESIGN

Case reports of patients with cervical myelopathy to hypoplasia of the atlas.

OBJECTIVES

To report cases of cervical myelopathy due to congenital hypoplasia of the atlas and to review the literature.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Six previously documented cases of congenital hypoplasia of the atlas as a cause of cervical myelopathy are reported in the literature.

METHODS

Three patient's clinical record and radiologic imaging studies as well as a thorough literature search are reported. Plain radiographs, computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance images, as well as somatosensory-evoked potential changes are displayed.

RESULTS

Cervical myelopathy developed in three patients who were found to have congenital hypoplasia of the atlas. Laminectomy of C1 provided neurologic improvement in all three patients presented.

CONCLUSION

Congenital hypoplasia of the atlas is a rare cause of cervical myelopathy. This report should broaden the radiographic differential diagnosis when seeking an explanation for the signs and symptoms of cervical myelopathy.