Morphometric Analysis of V2 Segment of Vertebral Artery in Patients with Symptomatic Neck Pain in South Indian Population – A CT Angiography Based Study

Objectives: The morphometric changes in the vertebral artery are essential for various interventions. Inadequate details about it can lead to risk of vertebral artery injury and other complications. This study explains the normal anatomical course of V2 segment of vertebral artery which is more prone for iatrogenic injury. Materials and Method: 25 adult patients with symptomatic neck pain were involved in the study. Various measurements were made from seventh cervical vertebra (C7) to the third cervical vertebra (C3) that included Distance from midline to VA, Distance from medial margin of Longus Colli to VA, Perpendicular distance from anterior margin of transverse process to center of VA, Horizontal distance from anterior tubercle to VA, sagittal and coronal diameter of the transverse foramen and vertebral artery. Result: Distance from midline, Distance from medial margin of Longus Colli, Perpendicular distance from anterior margin of transverse process to center of VA and Horizontal distance from anterior tubercle were increased towards right compared to left side. The sagittal and coronal diameter of the transverse foramen and vertebral artery decreased from C6 to C3 vertebra. Vertebral artery dominance was seen on left side in all cases. Conclusion: Preoperative assessment by computed tomography angiography helps to know the course of the vertebral artery, understand its patterns and assess various abnormalities thereby aids in preventing complications in future surgeries.

Correlation Between Craniovertebral Angle and Thickness of Longus Colli in Women with and Without Forward Head Posture

Background: Forward head posture (FHP) of the craniocervical region is one of the most common poor postures. The craniovertebral angle (CVA) is one of the most common methods to evaluate this posture. The longus colli (LCo) muscle is an important muscle to control head posture. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between CVA and thickness of LCo in women with FHP. Methods: This case-control research included 35 women with FHP and a control group. Sagittal view photography of the cervical spine was used for measurement of CVA. An ultrasonography device measured the thickness of the LCo. Correlation between CVA and thickness of LCo was determined using correlation coefficient in both groups. Results: Our findings showed a non-significant correlation between the CVA and thickness of LCo in case and control groups. Conclusions: According to the results of this study, there was no significant correlation between a lower CVA and smaller thickness of LCo.

Bilateral Longus Colli Abscesses as a Complication of Advanced Bacterial Rhinosinusitis

Known complications of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis include retropharyngeal abscess, cavernous sinus thrombosis, intracranial abscess, and associated sequelae. We describe the case of a patient with longus colli abscess formation resulting from acute pansinusitis, complicated by bilateral cavernous sinus thrombosis in the setting of concurrent viral pneumonitis, severe sepsis, and a large area cerebral infarction. The bilateral longus colli abscesses were drained via stereotactic image-guided endonasal sinus surgery, yielding Staphylococcus hominis in culture. The described disease progressed rapidly over a 2-week course amid the COVID-19 pandemic.