Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Ponticulus Posticus, atlantooccipital ligament ossification-induced anomaly, surrounds the vertebral artery and the first cervical nerve root. It is believed to wrap around the first cervical nerve root and the vertebral artery, causing compression. We hypothesized that it would also reduce the diameter of the vertebral artery.
METHODS: Between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, cervical spine CT scans taken for any reason were retrospectively reviewed. The images of 1365 patients suitable for evaluation were evaluated by two expert radiologists in 3 dimensions. Among patients with PP, those who underwent cervical angiography were identified for vertebral artery diameter measurement.
RESULTS: The average age of the 1365 individuals included in the study (732 males, 633 females) was 55.78 (± 18.85) with an age range of 1-96. Among this group, PP was detected in 288 individuals, resulting in a total prevalence of 21.1%. Right and left vertebral artery diameters were significantly lower in patients with complete PP compared to the absent group (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, respectively). Additionally, it was observed that width and height diameters and artery diameters were positively correlated in patients with Complete PP.
CONCLUSIONS: Ponticulus posticus can cause vertebrobasilar insufficiency by reducing the diameter of the vertebral artery. Therefore, imaging and detailed evaluation of this region are important in symptomatic patients.
METHODS: Between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, cervical spine CT scans taken for any reason were retrospectively reviewed. The images of 1365 patients suitable for evaluation were evaluated by two expert radiologists in 3 dimensions. Among patients with PP, those who underwent cervical angiography were identified for vertebral artery diameter measurement.
RESULTS: The average age of the 1365 individuals included in the study (732 males, 633 females) was 55.78 (± 18.85) with an age range of 1-96. Among this group, PP was detected in 288 individuals, resulting in a total prevalence of 21.1%. Right and left vertebral artery diameters were significantly lower in patients with complete PP compared to the absent group (p < 0,001, p < 0,001, respectively). Additionally, it was observed that width and height diameters and artery diameters were positively correlated in patients with Complete PP.
CONCLUSIONS: Ponticulus posticus can cause vertebrobasilar insufficiency by reducing the diameter of the vertebral artery. Therefore, imaging and detailed evaluation of this region are important in symptomatic patients.
摘要：
目标：PonticulusPosticus,寰枕韧带骨化引起的异常，围绕椎动脉和第一颈神经根。它被认为包裹在第一颈神经根和椎动脉周围，导致压缩。我们假设它也会减小椎动脉的直径。
方法：在2022年1月1日至2022年12月31日之间，对由于任何原因而进行的颈椎CT扫描进行了回顾性分析。由两名放射科专家对1365例适合评估的患者的图像进行了3维评估。在PP患者中，那些接受了宫颈血管造影的患者被确定为椎动脉直径测量。
结果：纳入研究的1365名个体的平均年龄（732名男性，633名女性）为55.78（±18.85），年龄范围为1-96。在这个群体中,在288个人中检测到PP，导致总患病率为21.1%。与无PP组相比，完整PP患者的右和左椎动脉直径显着降低（分别为p<0,001，p<0,001）。此外,观察到完全性PP患者的宽度和高度直径与动脉直径呈正相关。
结论：后背肌可以通过减小椎动脉直径而引起椎基底动脉供血不足。因此,该区域的影像学和详细评估对有症状的患者很重要。
方法：在2022年1月1日至2022年12月31日之间，对由于任何原因而进行的颈椎CT扫描进行了回顾性分析。由两名放射科专家对1365例适合评估的患者的图像进行了3维评估。在PP患者中，那些接受了宫颈血管造影的患者被确定为椎动脉直径测量。
结果：纳入研究的1365名个体的平均年龄（732名男性，633名女性）为55.78（±18.85），年龄范围为1-96。在这个群体中,在288个人中检测到PP，导致总患病率为21.1%。与无PP组相比，完整PP患者的右和左椎动脉直径显着降低（分别为p<0,001，p<0,001）。此外,观察到完全性PP患者的宽度和高度直径与动脉直径呈正相关。
结论：后背肌可以通过减小椎动脉直径而引起椎基底动脉供血不足。因此,该区域的影像学和详细评估对有症状的患者很重要。
