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Skeletal Radiology
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 10/2019

01-10-2019 | Rheumatoid Arthritis | Review Article

Thinking beyond pannus: a review of retro-odontoid pseudotumor due to rheumatoid and non-rheumatoid etiologies

Authors: Junzi Shi, Joerg Ermann, Barbara N. Weissman, Stacy E. Smith, Jacob C. Mandell

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 10/2019

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Abstract

Retro-odontoid pseudotumor, or mass-like retro-odontoid soft tissue thickening, is an uncommon but important imaging finding that may be associated with rheumatoid arthritis, crystal deposition diseases, as well as non-inflammatory conditions such as cervical degenerative changes and mechanical alterations. Retro-odontoid pseudotumor is commonly associated with atlantoaxial microinstability or subluxation. MRI and CT have an important role in the detection and diagnosis of retro-odontoid pseudotumor. However, due to a wide range of imaging characteristics and ambiguous etiology, it is a frequently misunderstood entity. The purpose of this article is to review relevant anatomy of the craniocervical junction; describe various imaging appearances, pathophysiology and histology in both rheumatoid and non-rheumatoid etiologies; and discuss differential diagnosis of retro-odontoid pseudotumor in order to help guide clinical management.
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Metadata
Title
Thinking beyond pannus: a review of retro-odontoid pseudotumor due to rheumatoid and non-rheumatoid etiologies
Authors
Junzi Shi
Joerg Ermann
Barbara N. Weissman
Stacy E. Smith
Jacob C. Mandell
Publication date
01-10-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 10/2019
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-019-03187-z

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