title: Craniocervical fusion with contoured Luque rod and autogeneic bone graft.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the efficacy of internal craniocervical fixation with a Luque rod and autogeneic bone graft for craniocervical instability.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university-affiliated hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six patients with craniocervical instability from diverse causes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Craniocervical fusion with a custom-formed Luque rod wired to the occiput and a variable number of vertebrae overlaid with autogeneic bone graft, followed by bracing with either a halo vest or a removable, stiff, plastic cervical orthosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Craniocervical fusion and neurologic stability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients maintained good craniocervical alignment. Radiologic bony fusion was achieved in five patients. Three patients remained neurologically stable and three had improved neurologic status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Craniocervical fusion with the contoured Luque rod and autogeneic bone grafting, usually in combination with a temporary plastic cervical orthosis, is of value in managing craniocervical instability.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Findlay
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D001858:Bone Nails; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous