Early Identification of Traumatic Durotomy Associated with Atlantooccipital Dislocation May Prevent Retropharyngeal Pseudomeningocele Development

Figure 1

Multiple preoperative sagittal magnetic resonance images (MRI). (a) Left parasagittal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) image demonstrating abnormal fluid in the left atlantooccipital joint (arrow). (b) Left parasagittal STIR image demonstrating abnormal fluid in the left C1-C2 joint (arrow). (c) Midline sagittal STIR image demonstrating disk disruption at the C5-C6 level () and abnormal signal demonstrating posterior ligamentous injury at the occiput-C1 level (rostral arrow) and at the C5-C6 level (caudal arrow). (d) Sagittal T2-weighted MRI demonstrating ventral dural defect at the level of C2 (arrow).

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