A rare anatomical variation of the C7 pedicle and intraspinal course of the C7 nerve root

We report a 58 year old man who presented with severe C7 radiculopathy which failed to respond to conservative measures. Subsequent CT and MR imaging of his cervical spine demonstrated C6/7 foraminal stenosis as well as unusual low take-off of the C7 nerve root in relation to a congenital low-set C7 pedicle, findings which were subsequently confirmed intra-operatively. The relevance of the bony and neural anatomy is described and its implications for surgical management are discussed. To o ur knowledge, this anatomical anomaly has not been previously highlighted in the published English literature. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.