J Korean Soc Radiol.  2013 Sep;69(3):235-237. 10.3348/jksr.2013.69.3.235.

Aberrant Articulation of Cervical Vertebral Transverse Process: An Uncommon Normal Variant and Review of the Literature

• Song Y
• Ryu JA
• Cha SW
• Lee S
• Joo KB

• KMID: 2208806
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2013.69.3.235

Abstract

Aberrant articulation between two anterior tubercles is a rare congenital anomaly that should be considered for patients showing a bony projection anterior to the vertebral body on a lateral radiograph of the cervical spine. We present a case of an elongation of the anterior tubercles of the transverse processes of both the fifth and sixth cervical vertebrae. This finding is probably a form of supernumerary cervical rib developing at a level above the lowest cervical spine.

MeSH Terms

Cervical Rib
Cervical Vertebrae
Female
Humans
Spine

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Anteroposterior view of the cervical spine. There is a well-defined thin radiolucent gap between the lateral masses of C5 and C6 (arrow).

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  Fig. 2 Lateral view of the cervical spine. There is an anterior bony projection between C5 and C6. The bony mass arises posterior to the anterior margins of the vertebral bodies in the region of the transverse process (arrow).

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  Fig. 3 CT scan of the cervical spine. The bony projections arose from the anterior tubercles of the right transverse processes (arrows). There is no evidence of bone fracture. A. Axial scan at the level of C5. B. Axial scan at the level of C6.

Reference

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