Morphologic Considerations of C2 Isthmus Dimensions for the Placement of Transarticular Screws

Abstract

Placing a 3.5 mm screw in a patient with narrow C2 isthmus dimensions (smaller than 5 mm in either the height or width) is technically difficult. Because of narrow C2 isthmus width and/or height, approximately 10% of patients may be at risk for a vertebral artery injury with placement of C1-C2 transarticular screws.