Imaging and classifications of atlantoaxial dislocation: a narrative review

Radiography is of importance in the diagnosis of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD), and it is the basic imaging technique. However, it should not be the sole diagnostic modality, especially in complex or unclear cases. Conventional X-ray includes an open-mouth odontoid view and a cross-table lateral vi...

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Main Authors: Guangzhou Li, Hao Zhang, Qing Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Bioscientifica 2025-07-01
Series:EFORT Open Reviews
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Online Access:https://eor.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/eor/10/7/EOR-2024-0061.xml
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author Guangzhou Li
Hao Zhang
Qing Wang
author_facet Guangzhou Li
Hao Zhang
Qing Wang
author_sort Guangzhou Li
collection DOAJ
description Radiography is of importance in the diagnosis of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD), and it is the basic imaging technique. However, it should not be the sole diagnostic modality, especially in complex or unclear cases. Conventional X-ray includes an open-mouth odontoid view and a cross-table lateral view, and careful study of radiological findings is crucial to give an early diagnosis of AAD. Lateral flexion-extension dynamic views are only used as an additional supplement in some special cases. Although X-ray images are enough to diagnose AAD in most cases, some patients suspected with AAD should be evaluated with the readily available and quick CT scan. If patients with AAD have symptoms of spinal cord and medullary compression, apart from conventional radiographs, a combination of high-quality CT and MRI of cervical spine are necessary for the diagnosis and choice of treatment. For patients with AAD, both the thin slice CT scanning with coronal, sagittal and three-dimensional reconstruction images and MRI of cervical spine are fundamental to surgical planning. Clinical classifications of AAD associated with imaging are useful in determining treatment strategies. The present study reviews publications on imaging and clinical classification of AAD to aid the clinician in the evaluation and management of these dislocations.
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spelling doaj-art-2fd4c128d9be4edaad510001a2b95e4f2025-08-20T02:44:50ZengBioscientificaEFORT Open Reviews2058-52412025-07-0110755156110.1530/EOR-2024-00611Imaging and classifications of atlantoaxial dislocation: a narrative reviewGuangzhou Li0Hao Zhang1Qing Wang2Department of Orthopaedics, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, Suining Central Hospital, Suining, Sichuan, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, ChinaRadiography is of importance in the diagnosis of atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD), and it is the basic imaging technique. However, it should not be the sole diagnostic modality, especially in complex or unclear cases. Conventional X-ray includes an open-mouth odontoid view and a cross-table lateral view, and careful study of radiological findings is crucial to give an early diagnosis of AAD. Lateral flexion-extension dynamic views are only used as an additional supplement in some special cases. Although X-ray images are enough to diagnose AAD in most cases, some patients suspected with AAD should be evaluated with the readily available and quick CT scan. If patients with AAD have symptoms of spinal cord and medullary compression, apart from conventional radiographs, a combination of high-quality CT and MRI of cervical spine are necessary for the diagnosis and choice of treatment. For patients with AAD, both the thin slice CT scanning with coronal, sagittal and three-dimensional reconstruction images and MRI of cervical spine are fundamental to surgical planning. Clinical classifications of AAD associated with imaging are useful in determining treatment strategies. The present study reviews publications on imaging and clinical classification of AAD to aid the clinician in the evaluation and management of these dislocations.https://eor.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/eor/10/7/EOR-2024-0061.xmlimagingclassificationsatlantoaxial dislocationcervical spine
spellingShingle Guangzhou Li
Hao Zhang
Qing Wang
Imaging and classifications of atlantoaxial dislocation: a narrative review
EFORT Open Reviews
imaging
classifications
atlantoaxial dislocation
cervical spine
title Imaging and classifications of atlantoaxial dislocation: a narrative review
title_full Imaging and classifications of atlantoaxial dislocation: a narrative review
title_fullStr Imaging and classifications of atlantoaxial dislocation: a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed Imaging and classifications of atlantoaxial dislocation: a narrative review
title_short Imaging and classifications of atlantoaxial dislocation: a narrative review
title_sort imaging and classifications of atlantoaxial dislocation a narrative review
topic imaging
classifications
atlantoaxial dislocation
cervical spine
url https://eor.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/eor/10/7/EOR-2024-0061.xml
work_keys_str_mv AT guangzhouli imagingandclassificationsofatlantoaxialdislocationanarrativereview
AT haozhang imagingandclassificationsofatlantoaxialdislocationanarrativereview
AT qingwang imagingandclassificationsofatlantoaxialdislocationanarrativereview