Foramen arcuale and syndrome of Barre-Lieou. Its surgical treatment.

Abstract

At the point where the vertebral artery crosses the posterior arch of the atlas it may sometimes be enclosed by a bridge of bone, the so-called foramen arcuale. The foramen limits the normal mobility of the vessel during flexion and extension of the neck and may cause disturbances of arterial flow and of the peri-arterial sympathetic plexus giving rise to symptoms similar to those found in the Barre-Lieou syndrome. The authors describes the angiographic findings in such patients and a technique for the surgical excision of the foramen. The results of the operation in two groups of patients, with and without associated spondylosis of the lower cervical spine, are presented.

• Authors: C A Limousin
• Journal: International orthopaedics (Int Orthop) Vol. 4 Issue 1 Pg. 19-23 ( 1980) ISSN: 0341-2695 [Print] Germany
• PMID: 7399776 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Cervical Atlas (abnormalities, surgery)
• Cervical Vertebrae
• Humans
• Methods
• Spinal Osteophytosis (complications, etiology, surgery)
• Vertebral Artery (anatomy & histology)