Pediatric craniocervical junction injuries.

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to review pediatric craniocervical junction injuries in the context of embryology, developmental anatomy, and biomechanics. The craniocervical junction is functionally and developmentally distinct from the rest of the spine, and mechanistic models often fail to explain these injuries. Various developmental features and complex anatomy likely contribute to injury in this region in children. Some of the injury patterns at the craniocervical junction in children are similar to adults, but many are unique.