OBJECTIVE: To study the frequency, mode of presentation and outcome following surgery of anomalies of the craniovertebral junction at the Kenyatta National Hospital. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi. SUBJECTS: Thirty eight @entity1 with @entity154 who were treated at the Kenyatta National Hospital. RESULTS: Thirty eight @entity1 were diagnosed to have @entity154 at the Kenyatta National Hospital between January 1988 and December 1994. Thirty of those @entity1 underwent surgery. The ages ranged between 10 years and 49 years with a peak in the third decade. The male to female ratio was 2:1. The common mode of presentation was weakness of the extremities (90%) followed by @entity132 such as numbness of the extremities (30%), @entity10 (30%) and @entity4048 (20%). The common clinical findings were @entity2055 , @entity2057 , sensory loss and brisk deep tendon reflexes. Most of the @entity1 had computerised tomography (CT) scanning (80%) done. Other radiological investigations which were done were plain x-rays of the skull and cervical spine (50%), myelographic studies (36%) and tomographic studies (12%). Forty percent of the @entity1 improved following surgery while further @entity16 was prevented in 48%. There was an immediate post-operative mortality of 8%. CONCLUSION: @entity154 is an important clinicopathological, condition common amongst certain ethnic groups found in high altitude areas of the Kenya. Surgery may cause clinical improvement in 40% of the @entity1 , mainly those who have been symptomatic for less than three years.

XXXX seen at Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity154 :: ('MESH:D000013', 'Disease') :: ['craniovertebral junction anomaly', 'Craniovertebral junction anomaly'] @entity2057 :: ('MESH:D009133', 'Disease') :: ['muscle wasting'] @entity132 :: ('MESH:D010468', 'Disease') :: ['sensory disturbances'] @entity16 :: ('MESH:D009422', 'Disease') :: ['neurological deterioration'] @entity4048 :: ('MESH:D019547', 'Disease') :: ['neck pain'] @entity10 :: ('MESH:D006261', 'Disease') :: ['headache'] @entity2055 :: ('MESH:D001259', 'Disease') :: ['ataxia']
@entity154 :: (MESH:D000013,Disease) :: ['Craniovertebral junction anomalies']
