Background In the absence of frank craniocervical dissociation, there is a lack of consensus regarding what patterns of craniocervical junction ligamentous injuries require occipital-cervical fusion. This study was undertaken to examine the integrity of the craniocervical junction ligaments and analyze clinical outcomes in patients who underwent occipital-cervical fusion for craniocervical junction injury. Methods Adult patients requiring occipital-cervical fusion were identified retrospectively utilizing keyword searches in cervical computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging reports between 2012 and 2020 using Nuance mPower software (Nuance, Burlington, MA). The cervical magnetic resonance imaging examinations for these patients were reviewed for craniocervical ligamentous injury by two neuroradiologists. Descriptions of craniocervical junction injuries, demographic information, clinical history, surgical management, and global outcomes were recorded. Results Nine adult patients were identified with an acute, post-traumatic craniocervical junction injury requiring occipital-cervical fusion. All nine patients demonstrated a ligamentous tear in at least one of the four major craniocervical junction ligaments - the occipital condylar-C1 capsular ligaments, alar ligaments, tectorial membrane, and posterior atlantooccipital membrane. The tectorial membrane was the most commonly torn ligament followed by the alar ligament(s), posterior atlantooccipital membrane, and capsular ligament(s). There was wide variability in the number of major craniocervical junction ligaments torn, ranging from one ligament to all four ligaments. Four patients suffered persistent neurologic deficits following surgery. Conclusion Craniocervical injury is best evaluated by cervical magnetic resonance imaging. In the absence of overt craniocervical dissociation, we propose that an injury of the tectorial membrane in the adult population may indicate patients with significant craniocervical instability, possibly necessitating occipital-cervical fusion.

The medial longitudinal fasciculus (MLF) is a paired, highly specialized, and heavily myelinated nerve bundle responsible for extraocular muscle movements, including the oculomotor reflex, saccadic eye movements an smooth pursuit, and the vestibular ocular reflex. Clinically, lesions of the MLF are classically associated with internuclear ophthalmoplegia. However, clinical manifestations of a lesion in the MLF may be more complex and variable. We provide an overview of the neuroanatomy, neurologic manifestations, and correlative examples of the imaging findings on brain MRI of MLF lesions to provide the clinician and radiologist with a more comprehensive understanding of the MLF and potential clinical manifestations for an MLF lesion.

Purpose: To review the impact of a weekly multidisciplinary neuroradiology imaging review on the management of patients undergoing radiotherapy.Methods: A prospective study of the management of 118 patients (30=head and neck, 40=skull base, central nervous system=48) was conducted over a 12-month period from January 2018 through January 2019. After review of each patient’s history and relevant imaging, a radiation oncologist completed a form detailing the changes that were made in diagnosis and management. Imaging source (external and internal examinations), availability of outside reports, report timeliness, the value of reports, changes in interpretation, changes in clinical management, and changes in prognosis were documented. Changes in interpretation and management were designated as major or minor depending on the significance of the change. The managing radiation oncologist indicated whether the imaging review conference substituted for a peer-to-peer consultation with a neuroradiologist.Results: Nearly half (47%) of all patients had a change in interpretation. Of those, 32% of patients had a major change in interpretation, while 14% had a minor change in interpretation. The existence of the multidisciplinary imaging review conference prevented a peer-to-peer consultation (interruption) by the radiation oncologists to the neuroradiologists in 90% of the cases presented. Further analysis was performed.Conclusion: The involvement of neuroradiologists in a joint radiation oncology imaging review conference resulted in changes in diagnostic imaging interpretation that led to significant changes in management, expected prognosis, and workflow.

Traumatic vascular injuries of the head and neck can pose life-threatening emergencies, and therefore, the detection and accurate characterization of these injuries by the radiologist is essential. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is commonly performed as part of the initial imaging work-up of patients who have sustained blunt or penetrating craniocervical injuries and are suspected to have or are at risk for vascular injuries. This pictorial essay reviews the CTA and conventional angiographic imaging appearance of various vascular injuries that can occur from trauma in the head and neck and also explores the neurointerventional management of these types of injuries.