Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.12(2) > 1035656

Park, Oh, and Lee: Distractive Atlantoaixial Dislocation

Abstract

A tlantoaxial dislocations usually present with fatal brain injury, but rarely with clinical problems. With the development of newer imaging techniques, as well as improved preoperative and perioperative care, the likelihood of survival from an atlantoaxial dislocation has increased. Survivors usually suffer incomplete neurological deficits, including Brown- Se ´ quard syndrome or central cord syndrome. The authors describe a distractive atlantoaxial dislocation, with neurological sequelae, in a younger patient who had been involved in a car accident. This case was treated surgically, but the patient suffered paraplegia due to thoracic myelopathy.

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Fig. 1.
(A)Initial lateral plain radiograph shows isolated C1-C2 dislocation with 11 mm of vertical C1-C2 gap and 10 mm of ADI. (B) Open mouth view.
jkss-12-153f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Noncontrast T1 and T2-weighted sagittal magnetic res-onace imaging of cervical spine shows vertical migration and anterior displacement of atlas.
jkss-12-153f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Postoperative one year roentgenogram showing solid arthrodesis between C1-C2.
jkss-12-153f3.tif
Fig. 4.
Noncontrast T1 and T2-weighted sagittal scan demonstrates the atrophy of spinal cord and epidural fat at T10-T11 level.
jkss-12-153f4.tif
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