Fusion of the 2nd with the 3rd Cervical Vertebrae (C2-C3): A Case Series with Possible Clinical Significance
Purpose. The current case series describes three cases of fusion between the 2nd cervical vertebra, the axis (C2), and the 3rd cervical vertebra (C3), creating a C2-C3 osseous complex and highlighting its morphological type of fusion (partial or complete) and morphometric details. The developmental...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Hindawi Limited
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Case Reports in Orthopedics |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/3577693 |
| _version_ | 1797399273299509248 |
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| author | Eirini Demeneopoulou Dorina Papa Ilias Giotas Angelos Nikolaou George Tsakotos Vasilios Karampelias Theodore Mariolis-Sapsakos Dimitrios Filippou Maria Piagkou |
| author_facet | Eirini Demeneopoulou Dorina Papa Ilias Giotas Angelos Nikolaou George Tsakotos Vasilios Karampelias Theodore Mariolis-Sapsakos Dimitrios Filippou Maria Piagkou |
| author_sort | Eirini Demeneopoulou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose. The current case series describes three cases of fusion between the 2nd cervical vertebra, the axis (C2), and the 3rd cervical vertebra (C3), creating a C2-C3 osseous complex and highlighting its morphological type of fusion (partial or complete) and morphometric details. The developmental background of this complex is emphasized, pointing out the possible clinical significance. Materials and Methods. The osseous complexes were derived from disarticulated skeletons of body donors and were collected from the osseous collection of the Anatomy Department of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Results. Three blocked vertebral complexes (2 partial and 1 complete C2-C3 osseous masses) were identified. In two cases, the vertebral bodies were partially fused and in one case were completely fused. In the 1st case, the C2-C3 complex had fused spinous processes and distinct transverse processes. Facets were completely fused on the left and partially fused on the right side. In the 2nd case, the C2-C3 complex had partially fused vertebral bodies and distinguishable spinous processes. In the 3rd case, the C2-C3 complex had completely fused vertebral bodies, facets, laminae, and transverse and spinous processes. Conclusions. Among the three (C2-C3) fused osseous complexes, the two were partially and the one was completely ossified. The fused vertebrae were characterized by osteophytic formations (at the dens and C3 area) and osteoporotic lesions. Taking into consideration the C2-C3 fusion, and possible coexisted variants, particular caution should be made in the upper cervical area, to interpret possible neurological manifestations and to reach a safe surgical plan. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:36:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2977b36ec8b04373be694d59ad42547d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2090-6757 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T01:36:56Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Hindawi Limited |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Case Reports in Orthopedics |
| spelling | doaj.art-2977b36ec8b04373be694d59ad42547d2023-12-09T00:00:11ZengHindawi LimitedCase Reports in Orthopedics2090-67572023-01-01202310.1155/2023/3577693Fusion of the 2nd with the 3rd Cervical Vertebrae (C2-C3): A Case Series with Possible Clinical SignificanceEirini Demeneopoulou0Dorina Papa1Ilias Giotas2Angelos Nikolaou3George Tsakotos4Vasilios Karampelias5Theodore Mariolis-Sapsakos6Dimitrios Filippou7Maria Piagkou8Department of AnatomyDepartment of AnatomyDepartment of AnatomyDepartment of AnatomyDepartment of AnatomyDepartment of AnatomyDepartment of Anatomy and HistologyDepartment of AnatomyDepartment of AnatomyPurpose. The current case series describes three cases of fusion between the 2nd cervical vertebra, the axis (C2), and the 3rd cervical vertebra (C3), creating a C2-C3 osseous complex and highlighting its morphological type of fusion (partial or complete) and morphometric details. The developmental background of this complex is emphasized, pointing out the possible clinical significance. Materials and Methods. The osseous complexes were derived from disarticulated skeletons of body donors and were collected from the osseous collection of the Anatomy Department of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Results. Three blocked vertebral complexes (2 partial and 1 complete C2-C3 osseous masses) were identified. In two cases, the vertebral bodies were partially fused and in one case were completely fused. In the 1st case, the C2-C3 complex had fused spinous processes and distinct transverse processes. Facets were completely fused on the left and partially fused on the right side. In the 2nd case, the C2-C3 complex had partially fused vertebral bodies and distinguishable spinous processes. In the 3rd case, the C2-C3 complex had completely fused vertebral bodies, facets, laminae, and transverse and spinous processes. Conclusions. Among the three (C2-C3) fused osseous complexes, the two were partially and the one was completely ossified. The fused vertebrae were characterized by osteophytic formations (at the dens and C3 area) and osteoporotic lesions. Taking into consideration the C2-C3 fusion, and possible coexisted variants, particular caution should be made in the upper cervical area, to interpret possible neurological manifestations and to reach a safe surgical plan.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/3577693 |
| spellingShingle | Eirini Demeneopoulou Dorina Papa Ilias Giotas Angelos Nikolaou George Tsakotos Vasilios Karampelias Theodore Mariolis-Sapsakos Dimitrios Filippou Maria Piagkou Fusion of the 2nd with the 3rd Cervical Vertebrae (C2-C3): A Case Series with Possible Clinical Significance Case Reports in Orthopedics |
| title | Fusion of the 2nd with the 3rd Cervical Vertebrae (C2-C3): A Case Series with Possible Clinical Significance |
| title_full | Fusion of the 2nd with the 3rd Cervical Vertebrae (C2-C3): A Case Series with Possible Clinical Significance |
| title_fullStr | Fusion of the 2nd with the 3rd Cervical Vertebrae (C2-C3): A Case Series with Possible Clinical Significance |
| title_full_unstemmed | Fusion of the 2nd with the 3rd Cervical Vertebrae (C2-C3): A Case Series with Possible Clinical Significance |
| title_short | Fusion of the 2nd with the 3rd Cervical Vertebrae (C2-C3): A Case Series with Possible Clinical Significance |
| title_sort | fusion of the 2nd with the 3rd cervical vertebrae c2 c3 a case series with possible clinical significance |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2023/3577693 |
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