Anaesthetic Considerations in a Patient with Klippelfeil Syndrome Undergoing Occipito Cervical Fixation

A rare case with Klippel-Feil syndrome with a classic triad having short neck, low posterior hair line and restricted motion of neck because of fused cervical vertebrae was scheduled for occipito cervical fixation, foramen magnum decompression, fusion with local bones and cervical traction. We present the anaesthetic management of this patient highlighting the various anomalies associated with Klippel-Feil syndrome and the presence of a difficult airway.

Congenital Anomalies of the Spine: Radiologic Findings

Congenital anomalies of the spine are frequent and variable. Some are restricted to skeletal structures, while others involve combined neural tube defects or are associated with other multi-systemic disorders. Structural spinal anomalies can be classified according to their location: 1) the vertebral body, 2) the articular process, 3) the lamina with spinous process, 4) the pars interarticularis, 5) the facet joint, 6) the pedicle, or 7) other. Because of similarities between these congenital anomalies and (a) secondary changes involving infection or joint disease and (b) deformities resulting from trauma and uncertain tumorous conditions, significant confusion can occur during diagnosis. Moreover, since the anomalies often give rise to both functional impairment and cosmetic problems, appropriate treatment relies crucially on accurate diagnosis. The authors illustrate the pathogenesis and radiologic findings of the relatively common spinal anomalies confined to skeletal structures.