THE CERVICAL-SPINE IN SAETHRE-CHOTZEN SYNDROME

Twenty patients with a diagnosis of Saethre-Chotzen syndrome had their cervical spine radiographs reviewed. Radiologic abnormalities includi ng vertebral fusion were present in 9 of the 20 patients. Fusion of bo th the vertebral bodies and the posterior elements was noted, although the latter site was more common. C2-3 was the level most commonly inv olved, although other levels were recorded. Analysis of sequential rad iographs in nine patients revealed evidence of progression in seven pa tients. In those studies in children aged under 2 years, only 1 of 18 films showed evidence of fusion, while in those over 2 years of age, 1 0 of 12 showed evidence of fusion. These results reveal that the incid ence of cervical anomalies in Saethre-Chotzen syndrome is greater than that in the general population. There is both direct and indirect evi dence that the vertebral fusions are progressive during childhood.