Basilar Invagination

An anomaly of the craniocervical junction in which the upper cervical vertebrae displace superiorly toward the skull base, potentially compressing the brainstem.

Book an Appointment WhatsApp

H10 Topic Guide

Congenital Anomalies

This hub page brings together 5 conditions under Congenital Anomalies. Use it to move from overview content to the relevant disease detail pages.

Open topic guide

1Overview

Quick and clear information for patients

What is this Condition?

Basilar invagination is the upward displacement of the upper cervical vertebrae (particularly the odontoid process of the second cervical vertebra) toward the skull base at the craniocervical junction. This displacement can compress the brainstem and upper spinal cord. Some cases are congenital and may be associated with other anomalies such as Chiari malformation or short neck; others develop secondary to bone-weakening diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or Paget's disease. Symptoms may be absent, or may present as occipital and neck pain, swallowing and speech difficulties, balance disturbance, and upper extremity weakness. Diagnosis is made by craniocervical MRI and CT with bone measurements.

Symptoms

Pain in the occipital region and back of the head, pain that may worsen with neck movements

Balance and gait disturbance, difficulty with coordination (due to cerebellar involvement)

Weakness and stiffness (spasticity) in the arms and legs

Difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, speech disturbance, tongue atrophy (due to lower cranial nerve involvement)

Numbness, paresthesia, or sensory loss in the hands and arms

In advanced cases: respiratory difficulty and sleep apnea

Diagnosis Methods

Imaging of the craniocervical junction is essential for diagnosis. MRI demonstrates brainstem and spinal cord compression, if present, and shows associated conditions such as Chiari malformation or intramedullary cyst (syringomyelia). CT and plain radiographs use specific measurements and lines (such as Chamberlain and McRae lines) to assess the degree of upward displacement of the bony prominence. These images are interpreted together to determine both the severity of the anomaly and the treatment plan.

Treatment Methods

Treatment is planned based on the presence and severity of symptoms. Mild, asymptomatic cases can be followed with regular monitoring. Patients with brainstem compression and progressive symptoms require surgery. The goal of surgery is to reduce compression and stabilize the region; this may involve removal of the compressing bony prominence via an appropriate approach and stabilization of the craniocervical junction through fusion of the skull base to the cervical vertebrae. In some cases, reduction through positioning of the neck to allow bone realignment (reduction), followed by stabilization, is preferred.

Follow-up and monitoring: Asymptomatic mild cases are managed with regular clinical examination and imaging.

Decompressive surgery: Bony structures compressing the brainstem and spinal cord are removed via appropriate surgical approach.

Craniocervical fixation surgery (occipitocervical fusion): The skull base and cervical vertebrae are fused together to stabilize the region and prevent motion-related compression.

Treatment of underlying disease: In secondary cases due to rheumatoid arthritis or Paget's disease, treatment of these conditions is also part of the treatment plan.

Treatment Path

Related Treatments

The procedures and interventions most commonly explored with this condition.

4 links

Oksipitoservikal posterior dekompresyon + duraplasti

Oksipitoservikal posterior dekompresyon + duraplasti procedure

Open treatment detail

Oksipitoservikal stabilizasyon ve greft

Oksipitoservikal stabilizasyon ve greft procedure

Open treatment detail

C1-C2 segmental stabilizasyon (Harms/Goel tekniği) ve füzyon

C1-C2 segmental stabilizasyon (Harms/Goel tekniği) ve füzyon procedure

Open treatment detail

C1-C2 foraminiküler fiksasyon ve greft

C1-C2 foraminiküler fiksasyon ve greft procedure

Open treatment detail

References

Greenberg MS. Handbook of Neurosurgery. 10th ed. Thieme; 2023.
Winn HR, ed. Youmans and Winn Neurological Surgery. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2011.
Steinmetz MP, Benzel EC, eds. Benzel's Spine Surgery. 5th ed. Elsevier; 2022.
Di Rocco C, Pang D, Rutka JT, eds. Textbook of Pediatric Neurosurgery. Springer; 2020.

This content is for informational purposes and based on academic sources; consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

Bu Sayfayı Paylaşın

Bilgilendirici içeriği sevdiklerinizle paylaşın

Looking for Another Condition?

Search among 134 neurosurgical conditions

All Disease Categories

23 categories, 134 neurosurgical conditions

🧠

Contact and Appointment

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür AKŞAN

Phone

+90 (232) 404 00 61

+90 (532) 414 35 35

[email protected]

Address

Ziya Gökalp Blv. No:28 D:1-2
35220 Konak/İzmir

Website

www.drozguraksan.com

Book Online Appointment Contact via WhatsApp

Browse Other Conditions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür AKŞAN

Brain & Nerve Surgery

Book an appointment for detailed information and personalized treatment plan.

Book Appointment

Related Department

Pediatric Neurosurgery

Surgical treatment of brain and nervous system diseases in children with specialized approaches.

Send Your MRI Images

Get a free preliminary evaluation via EmarYolla.com.

Send MRI →

Our Services

Comprehensive Neurosurgery Services - A·B·C·H

Academy

BVSpedia

"Making medical knowledge free, open and accessible to everyone"

Departments

Specialty Areas

Main departments:

See All 16 Departments

Treatments

Surgical Techniques

Popular Surgeries:

See All Surgeries

Diseases

134 Neurosurgical

Most Searched:

See All 134 Diseases

What kind of help do you need?

Book Appointment Frequently Asked Questions

Pediatric Neurosurgery - Other Conditions

Pediatric Hydrocephalus Chiari Malformation Arachnoid Cyst Spina Bifida Craniosynostosis Tethered Spinal Cord Syndrome Chiari Malformation (Arnold-Chiari Malformation)Pediatric Hydrocephalus

🏠Home 📋All Conditions 🏥Pediatric Neurosurgery 📞Contact

Need help?

Book an appointment for expert evaluation.

Book Appointment Contact via WhatsApp

← Back to All Conditions Pediatric Neurosurgery View Page →

Basilar Invagination

Congenital Anomalies

1Overview

What is this Condition?

Symptoms

Diagnosis Methods

Treatment Methods

Related Treatments

Oksipitoservikal posterior dekompresyon + duraplasti

Oksipitoservikal stabilizasyon ve greft

C1-C2 segmental stabilizasyon (Harms/Goel tekniği) ve füzyon

C1-C2 foraminiküler fiksasyon ve greft

References

Bu Sayfayı Paylaşın

Looking for Another Condition?

All Disease Categories

Brain Tumors

Spine Surgery

Vascular

Pediatric

Functional

Trauma

Pain Treatment

See All

Contact and Appointment

Browse Other Conditions

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür AKŞAN

Related Department

Pediatric Neurosurgery

Send Your MRI Images

Our Services

Academy

Departments

Treatments

Diseases

YOU ARE HERE

Pediatric Neurosurgery - Other Conditions

Need help?

Related Treatments

Oksipitoservikal posterior dekompresyon + duraplasti

Oksipitoservikal stabilizasyon ve greft

C1-C2 segmental stabilizasyon (Harms/Goel tekniği) ve füzyon

C1-C2 foraminiküler fiksasyon ve greft

Bu Sayfayı Paylaşın