A proper reduction of the AAA did not affect the cranial angles or induce kyphotic malalignment of the subaxial region after atlanto-axial arthrodesis. However, if we can obtain a significant and large reduction of AAA in patients showing kyphosis before surgery, then this reduction will be offset in the atlanto-occipital joint and we should therefore pay special attention to its morphology after surgery.
This report presents a case of atlanto-axial subluxation after treatment of pyogenic spondylitis of the atlanto-occipital joint. A 60-year-old male had 1-month history of neck pain with fever. Magnetic resonance imaging showed inflammation around the odontoid process. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was administrated immediately. After 6 weeks, CRP had returned almost to normal. After 4 months, laboratory data was still normal, but the patient experienced increasing neck pain. Lateral cervical radiography in the neutral position showed instability between C1 and C2. Computed tomography showed a bony union of the atlanto-occipital joint and severe destruction of the atlanto-axial joint on the left side. Transarticular screw fixation for the atlanto-axial joint was performed. A lateral cervical radiograph in the neutral position after surgery showed a solid bony union. Neck pain improved following surgery. We speculate that spondylitis of the atlanto-occipital joint induced a loosening of the transverse ligament and articulation of the atlanto-axial joint. A bony fusion of the atlanto-occipital joint after antibiotic treatment resolved the pyogenic inflammation concentrated stress to the damaged atlanto-axial joint, resulting in further damage. The atlanto-axial instability was finally managed by the insertion of a transarticular screw.
This report presents a case of non-traumatic posterior atlanto-occipital dislocation. A 36-year-old female was referred with a history of numbness of the extremities, vertigo and neck pain for 1 year. The patient had no history of trauma. The axial rotation of range of motion of the cervical spine was severely restricted. A lateral cervical radiograph in the neutral position demonstrated a posterior atlanto-occipital dislocation. A coronal view on a computed tomography (CT) reconstruction image showed a loss of angle of the bilateral atlanto-occipital joint, and a sagittal reconstruction view of CT images also demonstrated flatness of atlanto-occipital joint. Instrumented occipito-cervical fusion was performed after reduction. A lateral cervical radiograph in the neutral position 1 year after surgery showed the reduction of atlanto-occipital joint, moreover, it was maintained even in an extended position. The patient had neurologic improvement after surgery. Flatness of the bilateral atlanto-occipital joint may have induced this instability. Occipital-cervical fusion was chosen in the present case since the patient showed restricted axial rotation of the neck before surgery. The surgery improved the preoperative symptoms including the function of cervical spine evaluated by JOACMEQ.
Objective Atlanto-axial subluxation (AAS) is caused by multiple conditions; however, idiopathic AAS patients without RA, upper-cervical spine anomalies or any other disorder are rarely encountered. This study retrospectively investigated the radiographic findings in idiopathic AAS patients, and clarified the differences between those AAS patients and those due to RA. Methods Fifty-three patients with AAS treated by transarticular screw fixation were reviewed. The subjects included 8 idiopathic patients (ID group) and 45 RA
A 71-year-old man presented with pain, swelling, redness, and a fluctuant abscess on his right hand and pain in his left ankle joint (Fig. 1). A radiograph and a computed tomography (CT) scan showed multiple osteolytic lesions (Fig. 2). Histology showed inflammation and necrotic tissues, without a tumorous lesion (Fig. 3). During a search related to an unknown fever, CT scanning incidentally revealed tumors in the liver and pancreas (Fig. 4).The diagnosis can be found at
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