Congenital malformations of the CV junction
Slobodan Marinkovic
University of Belgrade, Serbia
: J Spine Neurosurg
Abstract
The craniovertebral (CV) junction malformations have a complex genetic and embryologic basis and represent a challenge for surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to examine those malformations in a group of 22 randomly selected volunteers, as well as in one specific patient, all of whom were diagnosed by multislice CT imaging. Three defects of the atlas transverse foramen were noticed in the volunteers, as well as a median defect of the atlas posterior arch. The mentioned patient presented a duplication of the hypophyseal fossa, a bony incisure close to the tuberculum sellae, bilateral duplication of the posterior clinoid processes, a very broad clivus, expressed relief of the skull interior, an inverse foramen magnum, the third occipital condyle, a median defect of the atlas anterior and posterior arches, duplication of the odontoid process, and fusion of the C2 through C4 vertebrae, as well as a bilateral hypoplasia of the vertebral arteries, early bifurcation of the basilar artery, hypoplasia of the left P1 segment, and a segmental dilatation of the left A2 segment. The examination showed, firstly, that some CV junction malformations are not infrequent in a normal population. Secondly, a combination of the malformations in our patient has never been reported.
Biography
Slobodan Marinković completed his PhD from Belgrade University and Post-doctoral studies from the Laboratory of Neurophysiology, Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen (Denmark). He spent three months at George Town University, Washington D C, USA. He has published two international books, four chapters in two other books, eight national books, more than 60 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of repute. He has about 1200 citations in international publications. He has given 16 lectures at various international congresses and universities as an Invited Speaker and has been a Chair Person on three occasions. He is a Full Professor of Anatomy at the University of Belgrade and a Visiting Professor at Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Japan.
