Occipital neuralgia secondary to hypermobile posterior arch of atlas

Abstract

<jats:p content-type="fine-print">✓ The authors report on the management of occipital neuralgia secondary to an abnormality of the atlas in which the posterior arch was separated by a fibrous band from the lateral masses, resulting in C-2 nerve root compression. The causes and treatments of occipital neuralgia as well as the development of the atlas are reviewed.</jats:p>

Occipital Nerve Stimulation for the Treatment of Occipital Neuralgia—Eight Case Studies

“…In most cases, the cause of the neuralgia is not found. However, there are examples of occipital neuralgia caused by lesions to the nerves and occipital structures include exuberant callus formation, hypermobile posterior arch of atlas, compression of the greater occipital nerve by the semispinalis capitis and trapezius muscles, upper cervical cavernous hemangioma, diabetes, temporal arteritis, and multiple sclerosis (4–10).…”

Sonographic visualization and ultrasound-guided blockade of the greater occipital nerve: a comparison of two selective techniques confirmed by anatomical dissection

“…Our new methodology offers interesting future perspectives for further research in the field of occipital headache. Today, we know that occipital neuralgia can be a consequence of nerve pathology like schwannomas 15 but also related to other conditions such as giant cell arteritis, 16 hypermobile posterior arch of the atlas, 17 or C1/2 joint arthritis. 18 With this new method, diagnostic nerve blocks can be even more selective than before.…”

Atlantoaxial fixation: Overview of all techniques

“…[10,11] When the atlanto-dental exceeds 5 mm in non rheumatoid patients and when it exceeds 8 mm in rheumatoid patients, there is instability of the C1-C2 complex and posterior C1/2 fixation is indicated. [12,13,14,15] Furthermore, atlanto-axial rotatory dislocations are also an indication for C1 and C2 fixation. This problem can be treated via a posterior reduction and fusion approach or via an anterior transoral reduction and C1-C2 fixation.…”