A case of abnormal findings in the course of the vertebral artery associated with an ossified hyoid apparatus. A contraindication for manipulation of the cervical spine?

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of a simultaneous occurrence of an ossified stylohyoid ligament in a 56-year-old male cadaver and anomalies of the vertebral artery, and to consider the clinical implications for manipulative therapists.

INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: Dissection showed a simultaneous occurrence of complete developmental ossification of the left hyoid apparatus, variants of the vertebral artery, and a left superior vena cava in a 56-year-old male cadaver.

DISCUSSION: Developmental variants, posttraumatic and degenerative changes of the hyoid apparatus may result in variable degrees of ossification or calcification.

CONCLUSION

This unusual disorder should be considered in the differential diagnosis of facial and neck pain especially within the scope of manipulation of the upper cervical spine. Cervical spine manipulation may exacerbate existing pathological conditions of the stylohyoid apparatus, thereby irritating neurovascular structures, and induce a fracture. Developmental ossification of this apparatus might be associated with anomalies in the atlantic section of the vertebral artery which make the patient more susceptible to vertebrobasilar insufficiency. We conclude that extreme care should be taken in the presence of such an ossification to avoid trauma to the stylohyoid apparatus and maybe even because of increased vertebrobasilar risk.