Unsteady neck

Introduction The instability of the neck is caused by diseases such as upper cervical instability, which is a clinical manifestation of the feeling of instability in the neck. The cervical spine itself contains many unstable factors from birth, especially the level of the intervertebral joint, the relaxation of the ligament and the ratio of the spinal cord to the spinal canal constitute an unstable anatomical basis. Cervical vertebral instability is a process in the pathophysiological changes of cervical spondylosis, and it can be an independent disease when it lasts for a long time.

Cause

There are many factors that cause instability of the upper cervical vertebrae, such as congenital dysplasia, head and neck trauma, local inflammation, anatomical factors and blood supply factors.

an examination

Related inspection

Neck examination of the neck MRI

Mainly based on: past medical history, including congenital developmental malformations, history of trauma and inflammation of the throat; clinical symptoms, and X-ray films or other imaging examinations (CT and MRI). It can be divided into two types: organic instability and dynamic instability.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of neck instability:

Separation of head and neck: Head and neck separation is one of the clinical manifestations of a gallow fracture or a traumatic vertebral arch fracture. Clinical manifestations: mainly neck symptoms, there is a sense of separation of the head and neck, patients like to hold the head by hand, it should be noted that about 15% of cases can have spinal symptoms.

Spontaneous atlantoaxial dislocation: more common in children, mostly due to inflammation of the throat.

Skull base depression: not rare, should pay attention to early diagnosis, mainly in the understanding of this disease.

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