Basilar invagination is a condition that can occur at birth or develop as a result of disease or injury. Although a serious condition, a multitude of advances in treatment and surgical techniques has made an intervention for this condition more readily available than ever. If your child was born with basilar invagination, working with an experienced neurosurgeon will assure that your child will be able to find relief.
What Is Basilar Invagination?
The neck and back are made up of 33 individual bones that stack together to form the spine. Each of these bones, called vertebrae, serves to protect the spinal cord and provide support for the entire body. The spine is divided into five distinct sections that describe the different location areas of the vertebrae. Each vertebra is also numbered. These sections include the cervical (neck) region, the thoracic (upper back) region, the lumbar (lower back) region, the sacral (between lumbar and tailbone) region and the coccygeal (tailbone) region.
Basilar invagination happens in the cervical region of your child’s spine – the region that includes the neck. When this condition occurs, the second cervical vertebra of your child’s neck, located at the base of the skull, has moved up and back into the bottom area of the skull. This can cause the spinal cord or surrounding nerves to become pinched or even interfere with your child’s brain stem, resulting in mild to severe symptoms. Basilar invagination is often associated with other conditions such as Chiari malformation, instability in the C1 and C2 vertebrae, congenital defects and rheumatoid arthritis.
Common Symptoms of Basilar Invagination
The symptoms of basilar invagination vary – they can include dizziness, headaches, numbness or tingling in the extremities, difficulty swallowing and, in severe cases, paralysis. You may notice that your child’s symptoms worsen when they bend or turn their neck – this is because the spinal cord is pulled over the top of the C2 vertebra, causing greater compression.
Because the symptoms of basilar invagination are the same as those of many other conditions, it is important that your child receives the proper diagnosis to ensure they receive the best treatment.
Diagnosis of Basilar Invagination
If your child has been experiencing the symptoms of this debilitating condition, don’t wait to get a definitive diagnosis. Waiting can cause more damage to the spinal cord and associated nerves.
Luckily, diagnosing basilar invagination is fairly straightforward. You will need to set up an appointment for a physical exam with your doctor. A history of your child’s symptoms will be taken, and his or her neck and back will be examined. Blood work may be done, as well. Your doctor may then refer you to a neurosurgeon. The neurosurgeon will order imaging, such as x-rays, a CT scan or an MRI. This will show the position of the bones in your child’s neck relative to the skull. It can also help to determine whether an issue other than basilar invagination is causing your child’s symptoms.
Treatment Options for Basilar Invagination
The treatments your surgeon recommends will depend on the severity of your child’s basilar invagination. For some individuals, exercise and physical therapy are adequate to achieve the desired recovery. Other nonsurgical options can include the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications that reduce inflammation and allow the spinal cord and muscles to return to their normal position, or the use of a cervical collar to encourage proper headset and alignment.
If your child’s case requires surgery, your doctor may perform a laminectomy. This procedure involves removing the lamina (a specific area of the vertebra) to relieve pressure and give the spinal cord more room to move freely. Another surgical option is vertebral column resection, which includes the removal of the part of the vertebra that is interfering with your child’s spinal cord or brain stem. Both procedures are done under general anesthesia in the hospital.
Our Difference
At Neurosurgeons of New Jersey, we don’t just treat patients – we treat individuals. We believe that your doctor should take the time to listen to you and answer any questions you have. Our doctors are not only some of the best in their field, but they are also compassionate and willing to go the extra mile to ensure the best outcome possible. Add to that our five convenient locations throughout New Jersey and New York, making it unnecessary to travel far from home, and you have a winning combination.