title: Tuberculosis of the craniocervical junction: two case reports.
abstract: We report on two children with tuberculosis of the craniocervical junction. Atlantoaxial instability was evident in both patients due to the destruction of the dens and the atlantoaxial ligaments. In addition, one child had tuberculosis involving the anterior arch of the atlas and the anterior rim of the foramen magnum. Despite anti-tuberculosis treatment and immobilization, atlantoaxial instability was evident on flexion/extension views. Successful fusion of C1 and C2 was performed in both patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Natal, Congella, South Africa.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Valaskatzis
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Govender
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014394:Tuberculosis, Osteoarticular / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy