Diagnosis and treatment of craniocervical bone pneumatization and literature review

Objective: Craniocervical bone pneumatization occurs rarely and has been reported less in China and abroad. This paper introduces the case of a patient with craniocervical bone pneumatization diagnosed and treated in our hospital. Method: To combine analysis of imaging manifestations, clinical manifestations and therapeutic results of a patient with craniocervical bone pneumatization, and literature review. Result: The pathogenesis of craniocervical bone pneumatization may be related to craniopharyngeal dysfunction, ball valve mechanism and Valsalva manipulation. Craniocervical bone pneumatization is mainly manifested as cavitation of the skull, local expansion, local bone damage and so on, and these manifestations can involve the cranial cap bone, the skull base bone, and the upper cervical vertebra. Awareness of craniocervical bone pneumatization has been increasing this year. Local hypergasification and bone defects can be treated surgically. Conclusion Craniocervical bone pneumatization is rare, and further study on its clinical manifestations, imaging manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment can provide a reliable basis for physicians to correctly identify the disease.