Craniocervical instability (CCI) affects the upper neck and can cause symptoms such as pain, extreme fatigue, dizziness, headaches, and vision changes. A Patient’s Guide to Craniocervical Instability Diagnosis makes complex medical information clear and easy to understand for patients and caregivers. Based on more than 250 medical references, it helps readers feel informed, confident, and ready to take the next step in their care.
Inside Book One you’ll find:
- Chapter 1: A step-by-step framework to help patients decide when to see a neurosurgeon, covering CCI assessments such as symptoms, imaging, quality of life, and personal health factors.
- Chapter 2: How to find and choose the right neurosurgeon, plan your consultations, and know what questions to ask.
- Chapter 3: Simple explanations of medical research on craniocervical fusion surgery, risks and surgery outcomes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1: WHEN TO CONSULT A NEUROSURGEON 1
Introduction 2
Symptoms Requiring Emergency Healthcare 4
Neurosurgical Consultation Decision Framework 6
Key Decision Factor #1 – Persistent or Severe Symptoms 7
Key Decision Factor #2 – Radiology Measurements & Clues 24
Key Decision Factor #3 – Failure of Conservative Treatments 72
Key Decision Factor #4 – Quality of Life and Disability Indices 84
Key Decision Factor #5 – Patient-Specific Factors 95
CHAPTER 2: FINDING THE RIGHT NEUROSURGEON 97
Introduction 99
A Brief History of Craniocervical Fusion Surgery 99
Overview of Craniocervical Fusion Surgery 102
Caregiver Support Matters When Finding a Neurosurgeon 103
10 Key Things To Look For When Selecting A Neurosurgeon 104
Referral Challenges and Self-Referral 122
How Many Neurosurgical Consultations Are Needed? 123
Controversies and Differences in Medical Opinions 124
Deciding Whether to Have Surgery 125
CHAPTER 3: MEDICAL ARTICLES ON CCI & CCF SURGERIES 130
Introduction 131
Medical Studies: Benefits and Risks of CCF Surgery 133
Occipitocervical Fusion (OCF) vs. Atlantoaxial Fusion (AAF) 133
Fusion Complications 135
C1-C2 Fusion Surgery Complications 136
Traumatic Atlanto-Occipital Dislocations 139
Atlanto-Axial Dislocations 142
Down Syndrome and CCI 147
Outcomes of Occipito-Cervical Fusion in EDS Patients 148
Dysautonomia Symptoms: Does Craniocervical Fusion Help? 153
Rheumatoid Arthritis and CCI 155
Grisel’s Syndrome – “A Child’s Diagnosis” 157
Studies: Infections, Inflammation and Cervical Instability 158
Then and Now: Recent Trends in Diagnosis and Treatments 161
MEDICAL REFERENCES 166