Dystrophic changes of the spine in a patient with Kimmerle anomaly on the example of a clinical case

Abstract

Of all diseases of the musculoskeletal system, degenerative changes of the spinal column occupy the first place in frequency. Especially in recent years, cases of diagnosis of dystrophic changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs in children have become more frequent, which indicates the rejuvenation of this pathology, and, as a result, an increase in cases of disability of the young population. The presence of congenital defects of the vertebral apparatus is important for the rate of progression of the disease. Such an innate feature is considered to be the Kimmerle anomaly. Several variants of the Kimmerle anomaly are known: 1) ossification is observed between the articular process of the atlas (C1) and its posterior arch; 2) the bone arch connects the articular process of the Atlas and its transverse process. Pathology can be unilateral or bilateral, and the bone arch may be complete or incomplete, then the bone bridge remains unclosed in the form of an arched outgrowth. In the presence of connective tissue dysplasia at the same time, even in the most minimal manifestations, and Kimmerle anomaly, a more rapid development of denegerative changes of the cervical spine can be observed.