Atlanto-occipital fusion and its neurological complications: a case report

ABSTRACT

During routine activities in the Laboratory of Human Anatomy at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul – Brazil, an atlanto-occipital fusion was observed in a Caucasian cadaver skull. The skull used in our study had complete fusion of the occipital bone with the atlas vertebra, except in traffic areas of the vertebral arteries. Some important neurological disorders seem to be related with atlanto-occipital fusion. The presence of other anatomical variations was not verified. Thus, the present study shall be important for health sciences and those who keep some interest in pathologies associated with brain.