Cadaver Lab

Derrick Sun, MD, recently presented a lecture to our residents in which he discussed clinical cases illustrating different types of upper cervical spine trauma as well as anatomy and radiology relevant to the upper cervical spine.
After Dr. Sun’s lecture, the residents went to the cadaver lab to practice the placement of C2 pedicle screws, C1 lateral mass screws, C1-2 transarticular screws, and occipital plates using anatomical landmarks and fluoroscopic guidance. These procedures are used to stabilize someone with upper cervical trauma or atlanto-occipital dissociation (a condition where severe trauma causes the base of skull to be separated from the top of the cervical spine)