MR imaging of the craniovertebral junction.

The rapid growth of MR imaging has brought a renewed interest in the craniovertebral junction. Many congenital and acquired lesions affect this region and compress the underlying cervicomedullary junction and cranial nerves. Basilar invagination, basilar impression, and cranial settling are readily assessed with MR imaging in the sagittal plane, and evaluation of this region on all cranial and cervical spine studies should become routine.