Characterization of Alar Ligament in young adult on 3.0T MRI: a cross-sectional study in IIUM Medical Centre, Kuantan

Haroon, Raihanah and Che Mohamed, Siti Kamariah and Abd. Aziz, Karimah Hanim (2023) Characterization of Alar Ligament in young adult on 3.0T MRI: a cross-sectional study in IIUM Medical Centre, Kuantan. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 19 (1). pp. 149-157. ISSN 1675−8544 E-ISSN 2636-9346

PDF - Published Version Restricted to Registered users only Download (610kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

Introduction: Alar ligament is a paired craniocervical junction ligaments which stabilizes the atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial joints. The main purpose of the study was to compare the normal anatomy of alar ligament on MRI between male and female. The prevalence of alar ligament visualized on MRI and its characteristics were also studied apart from determining the association between the heights of respondents with alar ligament signal intensity and dimensions. Methods: Fifty healthy volunteers were studied using 3.0T MR scanner (Siemens Magnetom Spectra) by 2-mm proton density, T2 and fat-suppression sequences. Alar ligament visualization, dimensions and variability of the ligament courses, shapes and signal intensity characteristics were determined. Results: The orientation of the ligament was laterally ascending in most of the subjects (60%), predominantly oval in shaped (54%) and 67% showed inhomogenous signal. Females are 70% less likely to exhibit alar ligament signal inhomogeneity than males. There were positive correlation between height and the craniocaudal diameter of the alar ligament as well as the anteroposterior diameter, which were statistically significant (r = 0.25, n = 100, p = 0.01 and r = 0.201, n = 100, p = 0.045 respectively). Conclusion: Tremendous variability of alar ligament shows that clinical and multimodality correlation needs to be exercised, especially in evaluating alar ligament MR signal in male. Taller individuals otherwise tend to have longer and thicker ligaments. Future studies with larger samples of alar ligaments including trauma cases are also recommended to supplant a new classification system of alar ligament injury.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Alar ligament, MRI, Atlantoaxial joint, Male female, Healthy respondents
Subjects:	R Medicine > RD Surgery > RD701 Orthopedics
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Community Medicine (Effective: 1st January 2011) Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Radiology
Depositing User:	Raihanah Haroon
Date Deposited:	02 Feb 2023 15:35
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2023 15:54
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/103547

Actions (login required)

View Item