Traumatic atlantooccipital dislocation with survival: case report and review of the literature.
We present the case of a patient with traumatic atlantooccipital dislocation. The initial neurological examination showed no abnormalities. Dislocation was the result of rapid deceleration in a motor vehicle accident. The mechanism of injury was hyperextension/rotation, probably combined with a distraction force. Only a few cases of atlantooccipital dislocation without neurological involvement have been reported. Every report pointed out difficulties of initial diagnosis. Special attention should be directed toward the atlanto-odontoid-basion relationships as seen on lateral radiographs. Prompt recognition and surgical stabilization are essential to avoid further neurological injury.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hôpital Beaujon, Clichy, France.
P
P
Guigui
M
M
Milaire
G
G
Morvan
B
B
Lassale
A
A
Deburge
D000328:Adult; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography