Surgical considerations in posterior C1-2 instrumentation in the presence of vertebral artery anomalies: case illustration and review of literature

Abstract

Vascular anomalies involving the V3 segment of the vertebral artery are common and may complicate posterior atlantoaxial instrumentation. We report a patient with a fenestrated vertebral artery that underwent successful C1-2 instrumentation and fusion. Various vertebral artery anomalies are discussed with a review of pertinent literature.

Keywords:

• Cervical spine
• posterior spinal instrumentation
• C1-2 fusion
• first intersegmental artery
• fenestrated vertebral artery
• high-riding vertebral artery

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.