title: Traumatic atlantoaxial distractive instability: case report.
abstract: We present an uncommon case of traumatic atlantoaxial distractive instability which manifested itself clinically in a respirator-dependent quadriplegic. The initial radiographic finding was anterior atlantoaxial dislocation. The patient was managed initially by halo traction and, 8 weeks later, demonstrated occipitocervical fusion with gratifying results.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: I H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: L S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology