Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 28, Issue 5 , Pages 323-329 , June 2005

Posterior Ponticles and Rotational Stenosis of Vertebral Arteries. A Pilot Study Using Doppler Ultrasound Velocimetry and Magnetic Resonance Angiography

  • Michael J. Haynes, BAppSc(Chiro), PhD

      Affiliations

    • The School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia, Australia
    • Corresponding Author InformationSubmit requests for reprints to: Michael J. Haynes BAppSc (Chiro), PhD, c/o High Wycombe Chiropractic Clinic, 506 Kalamunda Road, High Wycombe, Western Australia 6057, Australia
    • ,
  • Lesley A. Cala, MB, MD

      Affiliations

    • Hon Senior Research Fellow, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Western Australia, Australia; Adjunct Professor, The University of Western Australia, Australia; Adjunct Professor, Murdoch University, Australia
    • ,
  • Alison Melsom

      Affiliations

    • Medical Imaging Technologist, Radiology Department, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Western Australia, Australia
    • ,
  • Frank L. Mastaglia, MB, MD

      Affiliations

    • Director, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, Australian Neuromuscular Research Institute, Western Australia, Australia; Professor of Neurology, The School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Australia
    • ,
  • Nicholas Milne, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Associate Professor, The School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of West Australia, Australia
    • ,
  • John K. McGeachie, DSc

      Affiliations

    • Professor, The School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of West Australia, Australia

References 

  1. Taitz C, Nathan H. Some observations of the posterior and lateral bridge of the atlas. Acta Anat. 1986;127:213–217
  2. Lamberty BGH, Zivanović S. The retro-articular vertebral artery ring of the atlas and its significance. Acta Anat. 1973;85:113–122
  3. Gatterman MI. Contraindications and complications of spinal manipulative therapy. Am Chiropr Assoc J Chiropr. 1981;18:S75–S86
  4. Wight S, Osborne N, Breen AC. Incidence of ponticulus posterior of the atlas in migraine and cervicogenic headache. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1999;22:15–20
  5. Gholker A, Griffiths PD, Kushing KE. Ponticulus: a possible cause of vertebral artery dissection in children. In: Proceedings of the British Society of Neuroradiology; Oct 8-9; Sheffield, UK. 1999;Abst Neuroradiol 2000;42:227
  6. Arnetoli G, Armadori A, Stefani P, Nuzzaci G. Sonography of vertebral arteries in De Kleyn's position in subjects and in patients with vertebrobasilar transient ischaemic attacks. Angiology. 1989;40:716–720
  7. Weintraub M, Khoury A. Critical position as an independent risk factor for posterior circulation stroke. A magnetic resonance angiographic analysis. J Neuroimaging. 1995;5:16–22
  8. Haynes MJ. Doppler studies comparing the effects of cervical rotation and lateral flexion on vertebral artery blood flow. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1996;19:378–384
  9. Haynes MJ, Edmondston S. Accuracy and reliability of a new protractor based neck goniometer. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002;25:579–586
  10. White DN. Vertebral ultrasonography. In:  Zwiebel WJ editors. Introduction to vascular ultrasonography. New York: Grune and Stratton; 1986;p. 217–242
  11. Kaneda H, Irano T, Miname T, Taneda M. Diagnostic reliability of the percutaneous ultrasonic Doppler technique for vertebral arterial occlusive disease. Stroke. 1977;8:571–579
  12. Hennerici M, Aulich A, Sandman W, Freund H. Incidence of asymptomatic extracranial arterial disease. Stroke. 1981;12:751–757
  13. Ringelstein EB, Zeumer H, Poek K. Non invasive diagnosis of intracranial lesions in the vertebrobasilar system. A comparison of Doppler sonographic and angiographic findings. Stroke. 1985;5:848–855
  14. Armadori A, Arnetoli G, Nuzzaci G, Stefani P. Continuous-wave Doppler of vertebral arteries in non-invasive diagnosis and management of vertebro-basilar TIAs. Angiology. 1988;39:365–370
  15. Haynes MJ. Vertebral arteries and neck rotation: Doppler velocimeter and duplex results compared. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2000;26:57–62
  16. Haynes MJ, Hart R, McGeachie J. Vertebral arteries and neck rotation: Doppler velocimeter inter-examiner reliability. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2000;26:1363–1367
  17. Haynes MJ, Milne N. Color duplex sonographic findings in human vertebral arteries during cervical rotation. J Clin Ultrasound. 2001;29:14–24
  18. Dvorak J, Antinnes J, Punjabi M, Loustalot D, Bonomo M. Age and gender related normal motion of the cervical spine. Spine. 1992;17:5393–5398
  19. Haynes MJ, Cala LA, Melsom A, Mastaglia FL, Milne N, McGeachie J. Vertebral arteries and neck rotation: modelling and MRA studies. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2002;25:370–383
  20. Kendrick G, Biggs N. Incidence of ponticulus posticus of the first cervical vertebra between ages 6 to 17. Anat Rec. 1963;145:449–451
  21. Stubbs DM. The arcuate foramen variability in distribution related to race and sex. Spine. 1992;17:1502–1504
  22. Argenson C, Franke JP, Sylla S, Dintimille H, Papasian S, DiMarino V. The vertebral arteries (segments V1 and V2). Anat Clin. 1980;2:29–41
  23. Tulsi RS, Perrett LV. The anatomy and radiology of cervical vertebrae and the tortuous vertebral artery. Australas Radiol. 1975;19:258–264
  24. Nathan H. Osteophytes of the vertebral column. J Bone Joint Surg. 1962;44:243–268
  25. Guillon B, Tzourio C, Biousse V, Adraj V, Bousser MG, Toboul M. Arterial wall properties in carotid artery dissection; an ultrasound study. Neurology. 2000;55:663–668

 Sources of support: Australian Spinal Research Foundation was the granting body for this study.

PII: S0161-4754(05)00103-X

doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2005.04.003

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics
Volume 28, Issue 5 , Pages 323-329 , June 2005

Article Tools

* Image Usage & Resolution