title: Spontaneous bone graft resorption in os odontoideum.
abstract: Two children are presented who had posterior fusion of the upper cervical spine for os odontoideum. Both patients achieved radiographic fusion but spontaneous bone graft resorption occurred, resulting in a recurrence of the original instability. An awareness of this phenomenon, which has been rarely reported, is important in the pre-operative counselling and postoperative follow-up of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Westmead Hospital, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Edmunds
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cummine
mesh_terms: D001862:Bone Resorption / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries*; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D013123:Spinal Fusion