The MR appearance of the alaria ligaments in asymptomatic volunteers.

Completed Research Project

Title / Titel: The MR appearance of the alaria ligaments in asymptomatic volunteers.

Original title / Originaltitel: MRI der Lig. alaria bei 50 asymptomatischen Patienten

Summary / Zusammenfassung: Purpose
The objective of this investigation was to assess the MR appearance of the alar ligaments and joints in the upper cervical spine to determine the prevalence of abnormal findings in asymptomatic individuals.
Material and Methods
Fifty healthy individuals (31 males, 19 females) with a mean age of 30 years (range, 19 – 47 years) underwent MR imaging with coronal T1 and T2 weighted images and axial T1 weighted images. The MR findings were analyzed independently by two musculoskeletal radiologists in a blinded fashion, with disagreements resolved in conference.
Results
The alar ligaments could be detected in 42/38 (left/right) of 50 individuals (84%/76%). The majority (88%) of the ligaments and the joints of the craniocervical junction (CCJ) (58%) were asymmetric. Asymmetry of the C1/2 joints (46%) was less frequent. Small amounts of fluid could be detected in the CCJ joints in 8% and in the C1/C2 joint in 56% of asymptomatic individuals.
Conclusion
Asymmetry of alar ligaments, CCJ and C1/C2 facet joints as well as joint effusions are common in asymptomatic individuals. The clinical relevance of these MR findings is therefore limited in identifying the source of neck pain in symptomatic patients.

Publications / Publikationen: 87 Pfirrmann CWA, Binkert CA, Zanetti M, Boos N, Hodler J. Functional MR imaging of the craniocervical junction. Correlation with alar ligaments and occipito-atlantoaxial joint morphology: a study in 50 asymptomatic subjects. Schweiz Med Wochenschr 2000; 130: 645-651
97 Pfirrmann CWA, Binkert CA, Zanetti M, Boss N, Hodler J. MR morphology of alar ligaments and occipitoaxial joints: Study in 50 asymptomatic subjects. Radiology 2001; 218: 133-137

Project Leadership and Contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte

Prof. Dr. J. Hodler (Project Leader)	juerg.hodler@balgrist.ch
PD Dr. N. Boos	nboos@balgrist.uzh.ch

Funding Source(s) / Unterstützt durch: Other Public Sources (e.g. Federal or Cantonal Agencies)