brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders
Craniocervical Junction Disorders
Diagnosis of Craniocervical Junction Disorders
Imaging tests If problems appear suddenly or suddenly worsen, people should see a doctor immediately. Immediate diagnosis and treatment of craniocervical junction disorders are essential and can sometimes reverse symptoms or prevent permanent disability. Doctors suspect a craniocervical junction disorder if people have Neck pain or a headache at the back of the head plus problems that are usually caused by pressure on lower parts of the brain or the top of the spinal cord Certain involuntary movement of the eyes (nystagmus) The diagnosis can be confirmed by imaging tests, usually magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT). Because problems that appear suddenly or suddenly worsen are an emergency, an imaging test is done immediately. CT shows bone better than MRI and may be done more easily in an emergency. If MRI and CT are unavailable, x-rays are taken. If MRI and CT are inconclusive, Myelography with CT may be done. For this procedure, x-rays are taken after a radiopaque contrast agent—one that can be seen on x-rays—is injected into the space around the spinal cord. If MRI or CT suggests abnormalities that affect blood vessels, angiography, which provides detailed images of bloods vessels, is done. Doctors may use Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) (which uses a strong magnetic field and very high frequency radio waves rather than x-rays), 