ASSOCIATION OF TRANSVERSE LIGAMENT CALCIFICATION WITH ANTERIOR ATLANTOODONTOID OSTEOARTHRITIS - CT FINDINGS

The craniocervical junction was assessed in 700 consecutive unselected patients undergoing CT of the brain or paranasal sinuses, to investig ate whether transverse ligament calcification was associated with adva nced degenerative changes at the anterior atlanto-odontoid (AO) joint. Calcific deposits within the transverse ligament were seen in 40 pati ents (5.7 %). The prevalence of this condition increased with age. Adv anced degenerative changes (marked osteophytes and obliteration of the joint space) at the anterior AO joint were significantly more frequen t in patients with transverse ligament calcification than in age-match ed controls. We conclude that transverse ligament calcification is see n frequently in the elderly and very frequently with advanced degenera tive changes at the anterior AO joint.